The standard treatment for a nasal papilloma is the surgical removal of the growth. This is the preferred method of treatment because, without removal, there is a chance that the lesion will become cancerous. The most common surgical methods used to remove a papilloma include cryotherapy, laser treatment, and conization. Another removal method uses electrical currents and is referred to as a LEEP procedure. Any questions or concerns about the most appropriate removal method in an individual situation should be discussed with a doctor.
Cryotherapy is often used to remove a papilloma in the nose and may be performed in a doctor's office. Liquid nitrogen is typically used to freeze the lesion, although carbon dioxide may be used instead in some situations. This method of treatment tends to remove the wart in layers and may need to be repeated on multiple occasions.
Laser surgery is an outpatient procedure that is usually performed in a hospital setting. A local anesthetic is used to reduce any discomfort associated with the surgery, but the patient remains completely awake. A laser beam is then used to destroy the lesion. Although more expensive than cryotherapy, laser treatments are often preferred because they leave fewer scars.
Conization may be recommended if the papilloma is thought to be cancerous. In most cases, the patient is completely sedated under general anesthesia for this form of papilloma removal. A scalpel is used to cut away a small sample of tissue, which is then sent to a pathologist for further testing. If significant damage to surrounding tissue is found, the entire lesion may be removed during this surgical procedure.
Loop electrosurgical excision procedure is the complete name for what is more commonly referred to as the LEEP procedure. This outpatient surgery typically takes less than an hour and involves the use of electrical current to remove the nasal papilloma. Some doctors prefer to follow a conization surgery with a LEEP procedure, although other removal methods may also be employed.
Regardless of the method of nasal papilloma removal, the lesions often return periodically. It is also possible for the warts to spontaneously disappear, only to return several months or years later. Without treatment, these lesions can sometimes become cancerous, leading to additional surgical procedures or the use of other treatment options, such as chemotherapy or radiation. The supervising physician can help the patient decide which method of removal is the most appropriate in each situation.