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Cervical polyp
How is a cervical polyp examined?
Cervical polyps in women can be detected through routine gynecological examinations, especially the smaller cervical polyps, which can be seen inside the cervical canal when the vagina is opened with a speculum. These small, blood-red protrusions resemble tongues and their stalks, generally located inside the cervical canal, are invisible. Therefore, other diagnostic methods, such as the commonly used color ultrasound, can also detect cervical polyps, but usually only when the polyps have reached a certain size in diameter that the ultrasound can differentiate them. Even with transvaginal ultrasound, the cervical polyps need to be large enough to be detected, so ultrasound should not be considered as the first choice for examination. Furthermore, another important diagnostic method is pathological examination. All surgically removed cervical polyps must undergo histopathological examination to rule out the possibility of malignancy.
the chances of cervical polyps becoming cancerous
Cervical polyps rarely become malignant; they are a form of chronic cervicitis. Cervical polyps originate from the glandular bodies and stroma of the cervical canal, appearing as localized hyperplasia that protrudes outwards from the cervical os, typically either singly or in multiple occurrences. Some individuals may experience bleeding after sexual intercourse and discover cervical polyps upon timely medical examination. Once cervical polyps are detected, preoperative cancer screening of the cervix is necessary, including testing for human papillomavirus infections and liquid-based cytology of the cervix. If there are no pathological changes, it is appropriate to promptly perform electrosurgical removal of the cervical polyp, followed by further pathological examinations post-surgery. Generally, it is advised to avoid getting cold and to maintain cleanliness of the external genitalia.
Is a cervical polyp the size of a mung bean serious?
Cervical polyps are a common condition. If a cervical polyp is found to be the size of a mung bean, it is generally not serious. In most cases, cervical polyps are benign lesions, and the probability of them becoming malignant is extremely low. However, it is recommended that even if the cervical polyp is the size of a mung bean, patients should still seek medical attention at the gynecology and obstetrics clinic of their local hospital for routine laboratory testing. It is advised that patients should have cervical polyps removed once they are discovered, through a cervical polyp removal procedure, in order to prevent the very low possibility of malignant transformation. If a cervical polyp does become malignant, it can lead to many severe adverse consequences.
Do cervical polyps affect menstruation?
Cervical polyps do not affect menstruation because cervical polyps are just localized inflammatory changes in the cervix, resulting from chronic inflammation that causes localized hyperplasia and the formation of polyps. They do not affect the endocrine system, nor do they affect the endometrium, so they do not affect menstruation. However, cervical polyps may also cause bleeding problems, such as contact bleeding or irregular bleeding following an infection, but this is different from menstrual bleeding. Therefore, in cases of vaginal bleeding, routine examinations are necessary to check for bleeding on the cervical surface and to see if there are issues like cervical polyps, and to examine for conditions such as uterine inflammation, etc.
What color is the bleeding from a cervical polyp?
Women's cervical polyps are relatively soft and fragile. They can bleed easily when touched, such as during sexual intercourse or a gynecological examination. Contact with the polyp can cause bleeding, which usually appears as bright red. Some women may have vaginal discharge with bright red blood streaks. Because cervical polyps lack muscle fibers, they cannot contract to close the bleeding blood vessels. Therefore, they tend to bleed upon contact. When there is an accompanying infection, there may be abnormal vaginal secretions, such as purulent discharge containing fresh red blood streaks.
Difference between cervical cysts and cervical polyps
Cervical cysts and cervical polyps in women are different, primarily because they form for different reasons. Cervical cysts in women mainly occur when the cervix is damaged and, during the repair process, epithelial tissue grows into the glands and blocks them, causing the secretions inside to not be discharged. This is often just a marker of the squamocolumnar junction of the cervix. On the other hand, cervical polyps in women are often a pathological condition caused by chronic inflammation and require treatment. In terms of treatment methods, cervical cysts usually do not require special treatment, but other co-existing cervical conditions may necessitate consideration of treatment. Female cervical polyps, however, should be surgically removed once detected because of the potential for malignancy, such as endometrial or cervical cancer, which can also present as polypoid growths. Therefore, a histopathological examination is necessary after removal.
How is cervical polyp treated?
The treatment methods for cervical polyps are actually quite simple. If the stalk of the cervical polyp is thin, it can simply be removed using a hemostatic forceps. If the stalk is thick, methods like radiofrequency or laser can be used to cauterize the base of the polyp, causing it to fall off. After the surgery for cervical polyps, it is essential to conduct a pathological examination, because although the rate of malignant transformation in cervical polyps is very low, malignant changes can occur. Therefore, any cervical tissue must undergo a pathological examination to avoid missed diagnoses.
Do cervical polyps recur?
Cervical polyps are polypoid tissues that result from the hyperplasia of cervical glands and protrude towards the cervix's opening. These polyps are caused by chronic cervical inflammation. Therefore, if a cervical polyp is removed and the cervical inflammation still exists, the polyps might recur. Thus, after the removal of cervical polyps, it is crucial to actively treat the cervical inflammation or remove the cervical polyps and cauterize the base of the polyps using radiofrequency or cryotherapy methods. Generally, these approaches do not lead to recurrence, and it is important to actively treat chronic cervical inflammation.
Can cervical polyps be left untreated?
If polyps are found on the cervix during a gynecological examination, they must be removed because the texture of cervical polyps is somewhat fragile and prone to bleeding. This is especially true during intercourse or gynecological internal examinations, which can cause contact bleeding. When polyps become infected, such as when a woman has vaginal inflammation, the infected polyps can become congested and swollen, leading to the appearance of purulent secretions. These purulent secretions contain many inflammatory cells that can engulf male sperm, affecting the normal conception in women of childbearing age. Most importantly, some malignant alterations in women, such as cervical cancer or endometrial cancer, can also present polyp-like growth. These cannot be distinguished by the naked eye as either benign or malignant. Therefore, when polyps are discovered on the cervix, they must be surgically removed and followed by histopathological examination to understand whether the lesion is benign or malignant.
What are the harms of cervical polyps?
Cervical polyps are a common gynecological condition, with their main risks including: First, cervical polyps can undergo malignant transformation, albeit rarely. Once malignant transformation occurs, it leads to adverse consequences and affects the patient's survival. Second, cervical polyps can cause irregular vaginal bleeding. The tissue of female cervical polyps is fragile, so when exposed to external friction or during sexual activity, the blood vessels on the surface of the cervical polyps can rupture, leading to irregular vaginal bleeding.