Can cervical polyps be left untreated?

Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on May 10, 2025
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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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Do cervical polyps require surgery?

Under normal circumstances, cervical polyp surgery is required. The purpose of the surgery is firstly to completely remove the cervical polyp tissue, and secondly, the removed polyp tissue can be sent for pathological examination to further confirm the diagnosis and determine the potential malignancy of the cervical polyps. If the patient's cervical polyp is relatively small, it is recommended that the patient undergo other methods of surgical removal of the polyp, such as laser or cryotherapy physical treatment methods.

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Can cervical polyps become cancerous?

Cervical polyps are mostly caused by chronic cervical inflammation and local cervical tissue hyperplasia. Cervical cancer is caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, so cervical polyps generally do not lead to malignancy, and the rate of malignant transformation is very low, accounting for only about 1%. If there is an HPV infection along with cervical polyps, malignant transformation of the cervical polyps can occur. Therefore, if cervical polyps are present, they should be removed, and after removal, a pathological examination is necessary to determine if there is any malignancy.

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Written by Yan Qiao
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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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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.

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What should I do if the cervical polyp has a thick base?

If the base of the cervical polyp is relatively thick, alternative physical treatments can be chosen instead of simple excision surgery, such as electrosurgical excision procedures or laser treatments. However, some laser treatments might not easily control bleeding. If there is significant bleeding, various electrocoagulation methods can be used to stop the bleeding. If the base of the cervical polyp is closer to the inside of the cervical canal, hysteroscopic surgery can also be considered. Using a hysteroscope to locate the precise base of the polyp while managing hemostasis can be very effective.