From the Research
Microwave therapy is a viable treatment option for warts, with a recent study showing a complete resolution rate of 68.6% in pediatric patients after an average of three treatment sessions. This treatment works by delivering microwave energy to the affected area, heating the tissue and destroying the human papillomavirus (HPV) that causes warts, as well as the infected tissue. Typically, a specialized device is used to deliver controlled microwave energy directly to the wart. Treatment sessions usually last only a few seconds to minutes, with patients generally requiring 1-3 sessions spaced about 2-3 weeks apart for complete resolution. During treatment, patients may experience some discomfort or pain, which can be managed with local anesthesia. After treatment, the area may be sore for a few days, and a blister often forms before the wart tissue eventually falls off.
Key Points to Consider
- Microwave therapy is particularly useful for plantar warts (on the feet) and hand warts that have been resistant to other treatments, as shown in a case report where a novel microwave device was used to successfully treat a plantar wart 1.
- The advantage of microwave therapy is that it targets the infected tissue specifically while preserving surrounding healthy skin, and it has shown success rates of approximately 70-80% in clinical practice, although this may vary depending on the population and wart location.
- However, it may not be suitable for all wart locations, particularly those on the face or genital areas, and it's typically more expensive than some other wart treatments.
- A recent study published in 2023 found that microwave therapy can be used to treat warts in pediatric patients, with a complete resolution rate of 68.6% after an average of three treatment sessions 2.
Comparison to Other Treatments
- Cryotherapy is another common treatment for warts, and a study published in 2010 found that it had a cure rate of 39% compared to 24% for salicylic acid and 16% for a wait-and-see approach 3.
- However, a more recent study published in 2020 found that cryotherapy had a cure rate of 77.8% when used with a protocol of 10 seconds of freezing at 2-week intervals, compared to 54.3% for a protocol of 20 seconds of freezing at 4-week intervals 4.
- Microwave therapy may offer an advantage over cryotherapy in terms of targeting the infected tissue specifically and preserving surrounding healthy skin, although more research is needed to compare the two treatments directly.
Recommendations
- Microwave therapy should be considered as a treatment option for warts, particularly for plantar warts and hand warts that have been resistant to other treatments.
- Patients should be informed of the potential benefits and risks of microwave therapy, including the possibility of discomfort or pain during treatment and the potential for blistering or scarring.
- Further research is needed to compare the efficacy and safety of microwave therapy to other treatments for warts, such as cryotherapy and salicylic acid.