Will cervical polyps grow back after being removed?

Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 04, 2024
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Under normal circumstances, the majority of cervical polyps form due to chronic inflammation of the cervix, with persistent stimulation leading to the development of cervical polyps. Most cervical polyps are benign, with only a rare few possibly becoming malignant. Generally, after removing a cervical polyp, it may regrow; these polyps are prone to recurrence. Therefore, after the removal of a cervical polyp, it is common for them to regrow, and a follow-up examination is typically recommended half a year or a year later. Postoperative treatment generally involves the use of anti-inflammatory medication. Thus, once a cervical polyp has formed, it is crucial to have an annual check-up. Also, patients with cervical polyps should be vigilant about the possibility of endometrial polyps. At this time, it is necessary to visit a hospital for an ultrasound to confirm if the endometrium is normal, as the polyp may regrow after removal.

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Does cervical polyp surgery require anesthesia?

Cervical polyp removal surgery generally does not require anesthesia, partly because the stalk of the cervical polyp is usually quite thin, making it easy to cut off during removal. Another reason is that the nerve distribution in the cervical area is not as rich, so the cervical tissues are less sensitive to pain compared to other areas. Therefore, the cervical polyp removal surgery does not cause significant pulling reactions on the cervix, which is why general anesthesia is generally not needed.

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Can cervical polyps recur?

Cervical polyps are highly prone to recurrence. Often after removal, polyps can repeatedly grow back. Possible causes may be related to persistent inflammatory stimulation, hormonal imbalances such as excessively high levels of estrogen, and infections from pathogens. Mainly, infections from pathogens might occur through invasive procedures or external factors such as childbirth in women. Therefore, if the inflammation persists, individual differences in physical constitution with continuously high levels of estrogen, and the invasion of external pathogens can all contribute to the recurrent occurrence of cervical polyps.

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Symptoms of cervical polyps

Most women with cervical polyps may not show any clinical symptoms. When the size or number of polyps increases, resulting in an enlarged surface area of columnar epithelium, the amount of secretion may increase, manifesting as thick and abundant vaginal discharge. When an infection coincides, the discharge can appear purulent. Due to the fragile texture of the polyp’s surface, it can easily bleed when touched, which is why some women might experience vaginal bleeding during gynecological examinations or after intercourse. In some women, cervical polyps are a manifestation of cervical cancer, which can then lead to uncontrollable vaginal bleeding and foul-smelling vaginal discharge. If it progresses to a late stage, signs of metastasis, such as cancer spreading to the bladder causing hematuria, may occur.

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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.

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Is it okay not to have surgery for cervical polyps?

When women have cervical polyps, surgical treatment is required regardless of the size of the polyps, and not undergoing surgery is not an option. Firstly, the texture of cervical polyps is relatively fragile, which can easily lead to bleeding upon contact, such as bleeding after intercourse. Some women with vaginal inflammation can infect the cervical polyps, leading to inflammatory secretions, such as purulent secretions or secretions containing blood. If cervical polyps are not surgically removed, they may continue to grow, and they have a characteristic of being multiple. For instance, the occurrence of multiple cervical polyps can also affect the normal menstrual cycle of women. Some women with cervical cancer or endometrial cancer can also present polyp-like growths, and from the appearance, it is not possible to distinguish whether the growths are malignant or benign. Therefore, generally, once cervical polyps are found, they should be surgically removed, and a histological examination should be performed after surgery to rule out the possibility of malignant changes.