The difference between benign and malignant cervical polyps

Written by Su Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on June 19, 2025
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Cervical polyps are a relatively common cervical disease in clinical practice, generally caused by chronic inflammation of the cervix. Most patients with cervical polyps do not have obvious clinical symptoms, but a small number of patients may experience bleeding after intercourse, or have vaginal discharge with blood, a foul odor, or a yellowish color. Most cervical polyps are benign, and the treatment is generally simple, involving surgical removal of the polyp or treatment with a LEEP procedure. To determine whether a removed polyp is benign or malignant, a pathological examination is necessary.

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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.

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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.

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What to eat after cervical polyp surgery

Cervical polyp surgery is a common minor procedure in gynecological clinics. The surgical process for cervical polyps is relatively simple and has a minor impact on the patient’s body post-operatively. Generally, there are no special dietary requirements after cervical polyp surgery, and patients can resume a normal diet. However, it is important for patients to avoid consuming spicy and irritating foods shortly after the surgery to prevent gastrointestinal issues like bloating and diarrhea, which could affect the recovery from the cervical polyp surgery.

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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.

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Can cervical polyps be detected by ultrasound?

Cervical polyps are generally detected through gynecological examinations and colposcopies, but are usually not visible on ultrasound. Endometrial polyps can be detected via ultrasound if there is uneven echogenicity and thickening of the endometrium, which can indicate the presence of uterine endometrial polyps. Most cervical polyps are identified during a gynecological exam, where polyp-like growths on the cervix are found and can also be seen through a colposcope. Once cervical polyps are discovered, it is advisable to surgically remove them as early as possible, and the removed tissue should be sent for pathological examination. The majority of these polyps are benign, with only a very few showing tendencies of malignancy. Therefore, patients with cervical polyps should actively seek appropriate treatment. Cervical polyps are not detected on ultrasound, but submucosal polyps can be.