Papilloma: Causes

What causes a papilloma?

Most papillomas are caused by a human papillomavirus (HPV). There are over 150 different types of HPVs. Skin warts and genital warts are also caused by HPVs. HPVs that cause skin warts are not easily spread from person to person. However, HPVs that cause genital warts are passed very easily through sexual contact. HPVs can also cause recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) in which papillomas grow in the respiratory tract. In rare cases, RRP can be passed from a pregnant mother with active genital warts to her baby during pregnancy or delivery.

Papillomas can be caused by other factors, such as ultraviolet (UV) light. Nasal papilloma may be caused by a tissue injury. In some cases, the cause is not known, such as for intraductal (breast duct) papilloma and choroid plexus papilloma. Choroid plexus papilloma is a rare benign (noncancerous) brain tumor most often seen in young children.

What are the risk factors for a papilloma?

Papillomas are very frequently caused by the human papillomaviruses (HPV). A number of factors increase the risk of developing a HPV infection including:

• Direct contact with skin warts of others

• Direct sexual contact with an infected partner, through vaginal, anal or oral sex, or by genital-to-genital contact

• Exposure of a baby to maternal HPV infection during pregnancy or delivery

• Multiple sexual partners

• Unsafe sexual practices such as sex without the proper use of condoms

Reducing your risk of human papillomavirus infection

You may be able to lower your risk of contracting or spreading an HPV infection by:

• Avoiding contact with warts on other people

• Practicing safe sex. The use of condoms limits the transmission of HPV

• Seeking early and regular prenatal care to reduce the risk of transmission of HPV infection during pregnancy or delivery

• Quitting smoking, as smoking is associated with an increased risk of HPV infection

Cervarix and Gardasil are two vaccines available for the prevention of the HPV types most commonly associated with genital warts and cervical cancer. They can be given to girls as young as nine years and women 26 years and younger who have not had the vaccination previously. Gardasil can also be given to boys and men between the ages of nine and 26 for the prevention of genital warts.