Cervical polyp and cervical cancer differences

Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 13, 2024
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Cervical polyps are generally visible to the naked eye during a gynecological examination, and after the removal of cervical polyps, there should be no bleeding. Cervical cancer, on the other hand, is different. With cervical cancer, abnormalities can be seen on the surface of the cervix or, even if not visible to the naked eye, can generally be detected through cervical cancer screening. There is no issue with patients with cervical polyps undergoing cervical cancer screening. For patients with cervical cancer, cervical cancer screening typically includes TCT and HPV testing. If these tests show abnormalities, indicating cervical cancer or precancerous lesions, a biopsy is generally required for further diagnosis. There is a difference between the two; after a polyp is removed, there should be no further bleeding; whereas with cervical cancer, continuous bleeding, irregular bleeding, and an accompanying odor can occur.

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Causes of cervical cancer

The causes of cervical cancer are particularly associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The primary causes that can lead to precancerous lesions and cervical cancer itself, in a minority of cases, do not detect HPV DNA, especially in older patients. Epidemiological studies show that early childbirth and multiple childbirths are highly related to the incidence of cervical cancer; as the number of childbirths increases, the risk of cervical cancer also increases. Smoking can suppress the body's immune function and may promote cancer development. Men who have had penile cancer, prostate cancer, or previous cervical cancer are at high risk; therefore, women who have contact with high-risk men are also more susceptible to cervical cancer.

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Is cervical polyp cervical cancer?

Cervical polyps are not cervical cancer. Most cervical polyps are caused by chronic inflammation of the cervix, whereas cervical cancer is caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. After removing a cervical polyp and conducting a pathological examination, if it is benign, it is considered cured. However, cervical cancer is a malignant tumor that requires surgery. If high-risk factors are present after surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are necessary. Therefore, these two diseases are different and vary in severity.

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Cervical Cancer Staging Criteria

For the staging of cervical cancer, the staging criteria of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) are now adopted. Staging should be done before treatment, and since the FIGO staging of the cervix mainly relies on the examination of the pelvis, it is emphasized that the pelvic examination must be performed by two senior gynecologic oncologists. The staging primarily involves assessing the size of the cervical lesion, particularly the measurement of endophytic tumors, parametrial tissue infiltration, and the status of pelvic lymph nodes. However, these stages mainly rely on radiological examinations, primarily magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to provide objective data for staging.

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There are several types of cervical cancer vaccines.

There are three types of cervical cancer vaccines: bivalent, quadrivalent, and nonavalent, and the recommended vaccination ages vary for each. The bivalent cervical cancer vaccine is suitable for females aged 9 to 45; the quadrivalent vaccine is suitable for females aged 20 to 45; the nonavalent vaccine is suitable for females aged 16 to 26. Vaccinations can be scheduled at hospitals within these age ranges. The younger the age at vaccination, the higher the antibody production after receiving the cervical cancer vaccine, meaning the effectiveness is better.

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Cervical cancer leukorrhea characteristics

The characteristics of vaginal discharge in cervical cancer may include the presence of blood in the discharge. This is because cervical cancer often leads to increased vaginal discharge, which may also increase in quantity and might contain streaks of blood or bloody material. The discharge could be thin and watery or resemble rice wash water, and it might have a foul smell. In advanced stages, due to necrosis of the cancer tissue accompanied by infection, there can be a substantial amount of foul-smelling, purulent discharge resembling rice wash water. Therefore, these characteristics of the vaginal discharge are specific symptoms of cervical cancer. If such symptoms occur, it is crucial to seek medical consultation promptly to evaluate for cervical cancer.