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What Are The Chances Of Wart Being Malignant?

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Posted on Wed, 1 Oct 2014
Question: I have a wart on the under side of tongue. its been there for almost 2 years, what are the chances that it is cancerous? Im really afraid.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Monish De (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
surgical excision of the wart

Detailed Answer:
Hi

The wart on the under side of your tongue is basically a benign growth.

The virus responsible for the growth of the wart is the human papillomavirus (HPV).

Tonguel warts tend to become a concern because of its potential for turning to cancer.

People infected with HPV were 32 times more likely to develop oral cancers.

Since your tongue wart is growing it should be treated by surgical excision of the wart, or the use of cryotherapy, laser treatments, or injections.

Injection treatments will involve inserting a substance called Interferon Alpha, which stimulates an immune action against the warts in your mouth to remove them.

Cryotherapy will involve the use of nitrous oxide or liquid nitrogen to freeze warts, resulting in their removal.

Finally laser treatments are based on targeting blood vessels within a wart, which boil and seal up the wart.

Tongue warts can be prevented by maintaining a good oral hygiene and maintatining some practices such as when engaging in oral sex one must always use a condom to avoid potential contact with wart causing HPV.

Regards

DR De
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Monish De (43 minutes later)
So if the warts is removed, and doesnt return. That means it no longer poses a cancer risk?

If its benign right now. Does that mean at this very moment its not cancerous but may over time become cancerous?

I have an appointment in a few weeks (slow medicare) which option is most effective.

And should I have genital warts removed for the same reason?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Monish De (38 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Removal of wart

Detailed Answer:
Hi

The warts needs to be removed as it poses cancer risk in future.

Once it is removed it will not return again.

Though the wart is in benign condition now but over time it may become cancerous.

Genital warts also should be removed.

Surgical excision of the wart or non surgical measures such as cryotherapy, injection treatments or laser treatments is the preferred treatment of choice.

Discuss these options with your treating physician.

If you have no more clarifications then please rate the answer and close the thread.

Regards

DR De
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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Answered by
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Dr. Monish De

Oncologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 2229 Questions

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What Are The Chances Of Wart Being Malignant?

Brief Answer: surgical excision of the wart Detailed Answer: Hi The wart on the under side of your tongue is basically a benign growth. The virus responsible for the growth of the wart is the human papillomavirus (HPV). Tonguel warts tend to become a concern because of its potential for turning to cancer. People infected with HPV were 32 times more likely to develop oral cancers. Since your tongue wart is growing it should be treated by surgical excision of the wart, or the use of cryotherapy, laser treatments, or injections. Injection treatments will involve inserting a substance called Interferon Alpha, which stimulates an immune action against the warts in your mouth to remove them. Cryotherapy will involve the use of nitrous oxide or liquid nitrogen to freeze warts, resulting in their removal. Finally laser treatments are based on targeting blood vessels within a wart, which boil and seal up the wart. Tongue warts can be prevented by maintaining a good oral hygiene and maintatining some practices such as when engaging in oral sex one must always use a condom to avoid potential contact with wart causing HPV. Regards DR De