What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Symptoms)

• Squamous Papillomatosis of Vagina
• Vaginal Squamous Cell Papilloma
• Vestibular Papillomatosis of Vagina

What is Squamous Papilloma of Vagina? (Definition/Background Information)

• Squamous Papilloma of Vagina is a rare and benign tumor of the vagina. It is generally observed in young and middle-aged adult women
• There are 2 variants of Vaginal Squamous Papilloma on a visual pelvic examination and these include:
  • Micropapillomatosis Vaginalis: It is the most common type wherein multiple micropapillomas occur in a localised area. In some cases, this localised area may form as a mass
  • Solitary Papilloma of Vagina: This by definition denotes a solitary papilloma occurring as a single mass
• The exact cause of Squamous Papilloma of Vagina is unknown, but it is not associated with human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually-transmitted virus
• Squamous Papilloma of Vagina may not present any significant signs and symptoms or complications. The healthcare provider may undertake treatment of Vaginal Squamous Papilloma through surgical removal of the tumor
• The prognosis of Squamous Papilloma of Vagina is typically excellent with treatment, since these are benign tumors

Who gets Squamous Papilloma of Vagina? (Age and Sex Distribution)

• Squamous Papilloma of Vagina occurs infrequently. It is usually observed in girls and young women in the age group of 15-35 years
• Although, some reports inform that these tumors are present during the active reproductive phase in women; while few studies also indicate that these are more common in middle-aged women
• It may be observed worldwide; there is no racial or ethnic group predilection observed

What are the Risk Factors for Squamous Papilloma of Vagina? (Predisposing Factors)

• Currently, no specific risk factors have been identified for Squamous Papilloma of Vagina

It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that one will get the condition. A risk factor increases ones chances of getting a condition compared to an individual without the risk factors. Some risk factors are more important than others.

Also, not having a risk factor does not mean that an individual will not get the condition. It is always important to discuss the effect of risk factors with your healthcare provider.

What are the Causes of Squamous Papilloma of Vagina? (Etiology)

• The cause of development of Squamous Papilloma of Vagina is unknown
• Research informs that this benign tumor is not known to be associated with human papilloma virus (HPV) infection or other sexually-transmitted diseases

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Squamous Papilloma of Vagina?

Squamous Papilloma of Vagina does not present significant signs and symptoms.

• It is a slow-growing and benign tumor
• In some cases, women may have itchy and burning sensation
• Sometimes, vaginal discharge of mucus may also be seen
• The tumor may be observed in pregnant women too
• The common locations are the vulva and vagina; squamous papillomas are uncommon in the uterine cervix

How is Squamous Papilloma of Vagina Diagnosed?

There are a variety of tests the healthcare provider may employ to diagnose Squamous Papilloma of Vagina that include:

• Physical (pelvic) examination and complete medical history screening: On a pelvic (visual) exam the 2 different patterns of Squamous Papilloma may be observed
  • Micropapillomatosis Vaginalis: It is the most common variant wherein multiple micropapillomas occur in a localised area that may form as a mass
  • Solitary Papilloma of Vagina: It denotes a solitary papilloma occurring as a single mass
• A Vaginal Pap smear may be ordered and an abnormal Pap smear warrants further testing
• Vaginal/colposcopic exam and biopsy: The abnormal areas of the cervix (including the vagina) are visualized with a colposcope. After numbing the vaginal region with a local anesthetic, an instrument, called a biopsy forceps, is used to get a tissue sample
• A differential diagnosis may be necessary to eliminate other tumor types before arriving at a definitive diagnosis

Note: This benign tumor may be confused for low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL, a premalignant condition) or condyloma acuminatum of the vagina. However, it is important to note that Vaginal Squamous Papilloma is not a sexually-transmitted disease.

Many clinical conditions may have similar signs and symptoms. Your healthcare provider may perform additional tests to rule out other clinical conditions to arrive at a definitive diagnosis.

What are the possible Complications of Squamous Papilloma of Vagina?

• There are no significant complications typically associated with Squamous Papilloma of Vagina
• The tumor may result in worry and stress in the individual, since it can resemble vaginal cancer

How is Squamous Papilloma of Vagina Treated?

The treatment of Squamous Papilloma of Vagina may involve the following:

• The treatment of choice is a complete surgical excision, which can result in a cure
• Follow-up care with regular screening and check-ups are important and encouraged

How can Squamous Papilloma of Vagina be Prevented?

Currently, there are no known methods to prevent the development of Squamous Papilloma of Vagina.

What is the Prognosis of Squamous Papilloma of Vagina? (Outcomes/Resolutions)

The prognosis of Squamous Papilloma of Vagina is generally excellent with appropriate treatment, since it is a benign tumor.

Additional and Relevant Useful Information for Squamous Papilloma of Vagina:

A squamous papilloma may occur at other regions of the body such as the lung, oral cavity, nose, or ear.