What is the Difference Between Adenoma and Papilloma

The key difference between adenoma and papilloma is that adenoma is a non-cancerous growth along the glandular organs, while papilloma is a non-cancerous growth on the top layer of flat cells of the epithelium of the skin.

Benign tumors are non-cancerous growths in the human body. They can occur anywhere in the body and grow slowly with clear borders. Unlike cancers, non-cancerous growths do not spread to other parts of the body. Some examples of non-cancerous growths include papilloma, adenoma, lipoma, myoma, fibroid, nevi, hemangioma, meningioma, neuroma, and osteoma.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Adenoma 
3. What is Papilloma
4. Similarities – Adenoma and Papilloma
5. Adenoma vs Papilloma in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Adenoma vs Papilloma

What is Adenoma?

Adenoma is a non-cancerous or benign growth that grows along the glandular organs, which produce hormones. These hormones regulate many functions of the body. Adenomas can grow in different parts of the body, including adrenal adenoma (grows in the adrenal glands), some colon polyps (grows along the lining of the colon), parathyroid adenoma (grows along the thyroid glands), pituitary adenoma (grows along the pituitary gland), and pleomorphic adenoma (grows along the salivary glands). Adenomas have triggers like age (more in age 30s or 40s), ethnic background, gene mutations (multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1), genetic diseases that run in the family (familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)), and sex (women are more likely to affected). Moreover, symptoms of this condition may include abdominal pain, fatigue, headache, iron deficiency, anemia, weakness in muscles, nausea, vomiting, and rectal bleeding.

Adenoma is diagnosed through physical examination, medical history, CT scan, MRI scan, or PET scan. Furthermore, treatment options for adenoma include medications to control hormone problems, surgery to remove adenoma, and lifestyle changes (stopping smoking, eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, exercising regularly, and limiting alcohol consumption).

What is Papilloma?

Papilloma is a non-cancerous growth or outward lump that grows on the top layer of flat cells of the epithelium of the skin. Though it is not cancerous, it is linked with a higher risk of developing into cancer. Papilloma is also often known as wart or verrucae. Other than epithelium, papilloma can also form on the surface of moist tissues lining the insides of the body, like the gut or airway. Most papillomas are caused by the HPV virus (human papillomavirus). However, some types of papillomas are developed due to triggers like smoking and other causes. The signs and symptoms of papilloma include cauliflower-like white or normal-colored 1 to 5 cm size projections on the mucosal surfaces, including palate vulva area, tongue, lips, breast, sex organs, respiratory airways, water or blood discharges, hoarseness, a quiet or weak cry, and airway obstruction.

Moreover, papilloma is diagnosed through physical examination, blood tests, and imaging tests like ultrasound. Furthermore, treatment options for papilloma include cautery (burning off), excision, laser surgery, cryotherapy, applying liquid nitrogen, and topical medications like 5 fluorouracil, cantharidin, and imiquimod.

What are the Similarities Between Adenoma and Papilloma?

• Adenoma and papilloma are two different types of non-cancerous growths in the body.
• Both these growths have a risk of developing into cancers.
• These growths can be diagnosed through physical examination and imaging tests.
• They can be treated through specific medications and surgical removal.

What is the Difference Between Adenoma and Papilloma?

Adenoma is a non-cancerous growth that grows along the glandular organs, while papilloma is a non-cancerous growth that grows on the top layer of flat cells of the epithelium of the skin. Thus, this is the key difference between adenoma and papilloma. Furthermore, adenoma has triggers like age (more in age 30s or 40s), ethnic background, gene mutations (multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1), genetic diseases running in the family like familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), and sex (women are more likely to affected). On the other hand, papilloma has triggers like the HPV virus (human papillomavirus) and smoking.

The below infographic presents the differences between adenoma and papilloma in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Adenoma vs Papilloma

Adenoma and papilloma are two different types of non-cancerous or benign growths in the body. These growths have a high likelihood of growing into cancers. Adenoma grows along the glandular organs, while papilloma grows on the top layer of flat cells of the epithelium of the skin. Moreover, adenoma is mainly caused by genetic mutations, while papilloma is mainly caused by HPV infection. So, this summarizes the difference between adenoma and papilloma.

Reference:

1. “Adenomas: Types, Causes, Symptoms & Prevention.” Cleveland Clinic.
2. “Papilloma: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Tubular adenoma 2 intermed mag” By Nephron – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Histopathology of a large squamous cell papilloma” By Harold M Reed, Joan C Delto, Harry Sendzischew, Pukhraz Basra and Lydia H Howard – (2018). “Large squamous papilloma involving a transgender neovagina.” Surgical Case Reports and Reviews 2 (2). DOI:10.15761/SCRR.1000111. ISSN 25161806. (CC BY 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia