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Cervical polyp
Can cervical polyps heal themselves?
Cervical polyps can sometimes heal on their own. If the cervical polyp is small or has a thin stalk, there is a possibility that it might become necrotic and fall off, but this scenario is relatively rare. Most cervical polyps require surgical treatment. However, the surgery for cervical polyps is relatively simple; the stalk of the polyp can be destroyed using laser or radiofrequency, causing it to fall off. Additionally, if cervical polyps are not treated, they might cause irregular vaginal bleeding, and there is a possibility of malignant transformation, although the rate of malignancy is quite low.
Can cervical polyps become cancerous?
Cervical polyps can become cancerous, but the rate of malignancy is very low, around 1%. Cervical polyps are caused by chronic inflammation of the cervix, which leads to the hyperplasia of local connective tissue, forming pink, tongue-shaped growths that sometimes have a stalk and can bleed upon contact. This condition is caused by inflammation, but if there is also an HPV virus infection, there is a potential for cancerous changes. Therefore, the causes of cervical cancer and cervical polyps are different. Cervical cancer is caused by infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), while cervical polyps are caused by inflammation. If cervical polyps are combined with an HPV infection, cancerous changes might only occur if the infection persists for more than two years.
Is cervical polyp not very serious?
In most cases, cervical polyps in women are benign lesions of the cervix caused by chronic inflammation. If the polyp is small, typically the clinical symptoms are not severe, or there may even be no symptoms at all. Some women might experience a small amount of vaginal bleeding or blood-streaked discharge after intercourse or a gynecological examination. When the size of the cervical polyp increases, the clinical manifestations can be more severe, such as bloody discharge or bleeding after intercourse. In very rare cases, regardless of the size, cervical polyps may be cancerous. In such cases, it is necessary to remove them promptly and perform a histopathological examination to determine whether the lesion is benign or malignant.
Can you get pregnant with cervical polyps?
Cervical polyps generally form when a local area of cervical mucosa is stimulated by inflammation, leading to localized proliferation and the emergence of a solid tumor mass, which protrudes as a pedunculated lesion of varying sizes, from as small as a grain of rice to even three to four centimeters in length. However, it is usually possible to consider pregnancy after removal of the polyp, typically two weeks later, or after the next menstrual period, as it does not affect the ability to conceive. Moreover, it is generally advisable to remove the polyps upon discovery, since if not removed, they may cause recurring bleeding during pregnancy, which can complicate the monitoring of the pregnancy. However, cervical polyps are usually benign, with a low likelihood of being malignant. Thus, whether cervical polyps are detected through symptoms or during a physical examination, it is generally recommended to remove them first before considering pregnancy, although cervical polyps themselves do not impact fertility.
Can cervical polyps be treated with medication?
Whether cervical polyps can be treated with medication needs to be determined based on the size of the polyps. Generally, if the cervical polyps are small, anti-inflammatory treatment can be appropriately given to eliminate inflammation and promote the shrinkage of the polyps. However, cervical polyps may not necessarily disappear after anti-inflammatory treatment. Therefore, it is recommended that patients visit the gynecology outpatient department of their local hospital for a gynecological examination to assess the treatment effect of the cervical polyps after the anti-inflammatory treatment. If the cervical polyps persist, surgical removal is still recommended.
Why is cervical polyp prone to recurrence?
Cervical polyps are a type of benign lesion of the cervix. However, recurrent episodes are common after cervical polyp removal surgery. This may be due to inflammation that causes the polyps; if the inflammation, such as vaginitis or cervicitis, is not fully cleared after surgery, it can stimulate the regrowth of cervical polyps. Additionally, in some women, the base of the cervical polyp may be deep, and if it is not completely removed during surgery, recurrence may occur. Furthermore, in some cases, the polyp itself may undergo malignant transformation, leading to potential recurrence after the surgery.
How to perform surgery on cervical polyps
According to the different shapes of cervical polyps in women and the varying depths of their stalks, the surgical methods also vary. For instance, if a woman discovers a small cervical polyp with a thin stalk that isn’t located too deeply, it can be treated in an outpatient setting. Usually, the stalk is clamped with a hemostatic forceps, then continuously twisted until it naturally breaks off, and the bleeding is generally not substantial, often not requiring hospitalization. However, for some women with larger cervical polyps and broader stalks located deeper within, especially when the stalk is deep within the cervical canal, performing a cervical polyp removal surgery in an outpatient setting may result in incomplete removal of the stalk, and the bleeding can be more significant. In such cases, hospitalization is usually required to perform an electrosurgical excision of the cervical polyp under hysteroscopy, during which the stalk can be completely removed and the bleeding can be thoroughly controlled.
Why does cervical polyp bleed?
Cervical polyps in women are prone to bleeding, which is somewhat related to the causes of their formation. Most cervical polyps occur due to infection of the cervix, leading to proliferative changes. The tissues in these polyps lack muscle fibers, so when they bleed due to contact, there is no way to constrict and close off the bleeding vessels. Furthermore, cervical polyps are soft and fragile, easily bleeding upon contact. Additionally, the surface of cervical polyps is susceptible to invasion by external pathogens, prompting infections, which can exacerbate the occurrence of vaginal bleeding in women.
Can cervical polyps lead to natural childbirth?
Cervical polyps generally allow for natural childbirth, as they do not affect the delivery process. During pregnancy, if cervical polyps are present, there may be minor vaginal bleeding, but these polyps usually do not impact the pregnancy or childbirth. If vaginal bleeding occurs during pregnancy, it is necessary to examine the cervix. If cervical polyps are observed, the bleeding might be caused by the polyps, which could indicate a threatened miscarriage. Therefore, if cervical polyps are present, they should be removed. Once the cervical polyps are removed, bleeding generally ceases. Thus, if vaginal bleeding continues after the removal of cervical polyps, it may indicate a threatened miscarriage during pregnancy, requiring further examination.
How to treat cervical polyp cysts?
If a gynecological examination determines cervical polyps or cervical cysts, then local removal of the polyps and surgical clearance of the cysts will suffice. Both conditions are common gynecological diseases. Since the surgeries are simple and relatively low risk, most can be performed in an outpatient setting. If the patient's condition is more unusual, hospitalization for surgery may be safer. Specific approaches need to be tailored to the patient's individual circumstances in collaboration with the treating physician to achieve good therapeutic outcomes. Both cervical polyps and cervical cysts are manifestations of inflammatory diseases and are benign, so patients need not be overly anxious.