Vaccine showing promise for treatment of warts

It is thought that the vaccine stimulates the immune system. This is a bit surprising, since it had been thought that giving the vaccine after exposure would not be effective. The success seen so far is encouraging, and hopefully there will be a trial to look at this problem. Discuss the pros and cons with your physician.

On the upside, some people who failed treatment with salicylic acid, duct tape, liquid nitrogen, imiquimod (a cream used to stimulate the immune system), laser treatment, oral Tagamet (cimetidine), 5-FU (a type of chemotherapy) and glutaraldehyde (a powerful medicine used for resistant warts) had complete success with the vaccine.

On the downside, the vaccine is expensive, and the three doses are not covered by insurance for people over 26.

Dear Dr. Roach: I am an 84-year-old female with a protruding stomach bulge. My surgeon confirmed that it’s a hernia, which I got while taking care of my handicapped husband (who recently passed away). Since I had two abdominal surgeries two years ago, he does not want to do surgery again. I am 5 feet tall and weigh 110 pounds. Is it dangerous to do nothing?

A: A hernia is a defect in the abdominal wall. They most commonly occur in or around the inguinal canal (where the large blood vessels exit the abdomen), located near the umbilicus (belly button), or at sites of previous surgery. If the defect is large enough, the abdominal contents can push through the defect. Anyone living with a hernia should be warned that a mass over the hernia that cannot be pushed back in should be evaluated right away.

Surgeons are the experts in managing hernias, and I trust their judgment in balancing the risks of leaving the hernia alone and the risks of performing surgery.