Today in gynecology, the most frequently diagnosed benign formation is a polyp of the cervical canal. It is localized in the canal, which is located between the uterus and the vagina, has a base and a leg. On the surface of the polyp is a cylindrical epithelium, which gives the formation a red color. In case of circulatory disturbance, the color of the growth changes to dark red and purple. This pathology is diagnosed in 20% of women who undergo annual gynecological examinations. Usually, the growth is small, it is easily detected when viewed with the help of mirrors. The disease is often asymptomatic, so a woman may not be aware of her pathology.
Problem Description
The cervical canal polyp is a tumor-like benign neoplasm on a wide or thin stalk, formed from connective tissue and covered with a cylindrical epithelium. It grows in the lumen of the channel; in some cases, it extends beyond its boundaries. Such growths can form in any part of the canal, but are most often localized in the external pharynx of the cervix. If the polyp has a long leg, it protrudes into the lumen of the vagina, so it is easily detected during examination by a gynecologist.
As the formation grows, blood vessels sprout into it, which determine its color, it can be from pale pink to maroon. The structure of the polyp contains fibrous cells, the more there are, the denser it is. The size of the neoplasm can also be different: from two to forty millimeters.
A cervical canal polyp, the types and methods of removal of which will be described below, is often found in pregnant women (in 22% of cases). When diagnosing such a pathology, a pregnant woman should be under the supervision of a doctor. When there is a threat of miscarriage, the polyp is removed without waiting for the onset of labor.
Polyps can form in women of any age. But most often they are observed after forty years. The disease requires timely treatment, since there is a risk of developing a cancerous tumor.
Varieties of pathology
A polyp of the cervical canal, the types of formation of which differ in histological type, can be represented by one of the following forms:
- A simple polyp that can be proliferating or epidermizing depending on the predominance of one of these processes.
- The glandular polyp has in its structure a large number of glands that are randomly located. The size of the formation is usually up to one and a half centimeters.
- The fibrous growth is composed of dense fibrous tissue. Typically, neoplasms are diagnosed in women of advanced age. After its removal, hormone therapy is prescribed, since there is a risk of developing cancer.
- Glandular fibrous is characterized by the content of both fibrous and glandular tissue. The size of the tumor reaches two and a half centimeters.
- Angiomatous polyp is characterized by proliferation of glandular tissue, but has a different structure in contrast to glandular formation, as well as proliferation. This pathology is considered to be dangerous, since the risk of its transformation into cancer is very high.
Causes of the disease
The polyp of the cervical canal causes may have the following:
- Damage to the channel, which violate its structure and condition of the epithelium. In this case, the polyp can develop due to diagnostic curettage, abortion, biopsy or hysteroscopy, as well as an improperly installed uterine spiral. Also, the cervical canal can be injured during labor with the use of obstetric manipulations. When the epithelium is damaged, the body starts the process of its regeneration, which becomes the reason for the formation of formations.
- Change in the structure of the surface of the uterus, for example, the development of erosion or leukoplakia.
- STDs. Infection damages the canal, disrupting the composition of the natural mucus that is there. As a result of this, an inflammatory process develops, the mucous membrane becomes thinner and is injured. The epithelium triggers a response in the form of active cell division to increase its area.
- The presence of gynecological diseases, for example, vaginitis, endometritis, cervicitis and others.
- Hormonal restructuring of the body during adolescence, during pregnancy and menopause.
- A change in the natural microflora of the vagina, which leads to a violation of the level of acidity, provoking the development of a polyp.
- Disorder of ovarian activity is a common cause of the development of this pathology. Excess estrogen acts as a strong stimulator of connective tissue growth, from which the polyp is formed.
- Violation of the endocrine system, the development of obesity, diabetes.
- Prolonged stress and emotional stress, which lead to a breakdown of the immune system.
- Unexplained reasons. Often, pathology is formed for reasons that in medicine it is not possible to establish.
Thus, the polyp of the cervical canal, all the possible causes of the development of which are described above, is most often (75% of cases) diagnosed in women after forty years who have concomitant pathologies of the genital organs or STDs.
Symptoms and signs of polyp formation
Usually, the symptomatology of the pathology is unexpressed, especially if the polyp has a wide leg. Therefore, the disease is most often diagnosed during a gynecological examination. Polyp of the cervical canal in 75% of cases is accompanied by other gynecological diseases. The first signs of the presence of pathology can occur when the neoplasm was injured, inflamed or infected. In this case, the following symptoms are possible:
- Vaginal discharge with an admixture of blood, especially after sexual intercourse or gynecological examination, the use of gynecological tampons. Often this is how a polyp manifests itself on a long leg that goes into the lumen of the vagina.
- The presence of intermenstrual bleeding with inflammation or suppuration of the formation.
- Isolation of leucorrhoea with an admixture of mucus and pus in the case of a large education.
- Pain in the abdomen due to an increase in the size of the polyp.
The structure of the growth affects the manifestation of signs of the disease. Fibrous neoplasm shows almost no symptoms. Glandular secretions produce mucus, which can cause an increase in the volume of secretions during menstruation. Most often, the glandular fibrous polyp of the cervical canal exhibits vivid symptoms. This is due to the fact that such an education can grow up to twenty-five millimeters, provoking the appearance of pain, bleeding and increased discharge. This pathology can cause menstrual disorders and infertility.
Complications and consequences
If untreated, the polyp of the cervical canal is a danger to a woman's health. The disease can provoke the following complications:
- The formation of cervical cancer.
- The development of uterine bleeding due to an increase in the size of the polyp, as well as when it is injured. Constantly repeated blood loss provokes the development of anemia.
- The development of tumor necrosis often leads to sepsis and death.
- Overlap of the cervical canal with the formation of a large size. As a result, blood during menstruation begins to collect in the uterine cavity, causing the development of the inflammatory process, sepsis and death with untimely treatment.
- Arbitrary abortion during pregnancy, low placenta.
Knowing what the polyps of the cervical canal are, the reasons for their development and symptoms of manifestation, it is necessary to consult a doctor in order to timely remove the formation in order to avoid the development of dangerous complications.
Diagnostic measures
Most often, the pathology is detected by chance during a gynecological examination. In this case, the gynecologist reveals a seal and hypertrophy of the cervix, as well as round growths of a pink, red or purple hue.
Additionally, the doctor prescribes such research methods:
- Colposcopy, which is an examination of the uterus using a colposcope. During the study, the gynecologist draws attention to the color of the formation, its elasticity, structure, size. This technique allows you to identify even small growths. Also, with its help, you can determine the presence of an inflammatory process, necrosis or ulcers. Often during the examination, a biopsy is also performed, after which the biopsy is sent for histological examination.
- Ultrasound makes it possible to detect the presence of growths in the uterine cavity. Sometimes a doctor may prescribe an ultrasound scan using a contrast that is inserted into the uterine cavity, and then independently excreted. This makes it possible to determine the contours of the polyp.
- Bacteriological smear culture is carried out in order to detect the presence of infection. For the same purpose, PCR is often prescribed. If STDs are detected, they are first treated.
The polyp of the cervical canal, the causes, the diagnosis of which is now known, is treated surgically. After making a diagnosis, the doctor, depending on the individual characteristics of the woman’s body, the size and type of neoplasm, develops a specific treatment tactic.
Disease treatment
Many women wonder about what the cervical canal polyp suggests - treatment or removal. With this pathology, only surgical treatment is performed, during which the entire cervical canal is scraped. Then the doctor prescribes medication. This makes it possible to completely eliminate the neoplasm and reduce the risk of relapse.
Today in gynecology there are many methods for the surgical removal of benign tumors.
Hysteroscopy and diathermocoagulation
Removal of the cervical canal polyp by this method is considered the safest and most painless for the patient. The operation is carried out using a hysteroscope, which is introduced into the necessary zone of the channel. After removal of the polyp, the wound is cauterized. This procedure is carried out on the tenth day after the end of menstruation.
But hysteroscopy is not always used. It is contraindicated in pregnancy, the presence of an infectious disease, cancer or inflammatory process.
Diathermocoagulation involves excision and cauterization of the polyp. For this purpose, an electric knife is used. This technique is contraindicated in pregnancy, at a young age, in case of blood coagulation.
After the operation, a scar remains on the site of the polyp, which can cause complex labor. The rehabilitation period can last about two months, there is a risk of bleeding. But this operation is most often performed, as it makes it possible to completely get rid of the pathology.
Polypectomy and cryo-freezing
In this case, the removal of the polyp of the cervical canal (operation) is carried out using a laser and a hysteroscope. The technique is well suited for the treatment of single formations. When using it, the risk of bleeding and perforation of the walls of the channel is equal to zero. Rehabilitation after surgery does not last long, after a few days the woman will feel good, her menstrual cycle will not be disturbed.
Cryo-freezing involves freezing the polyp with the help of low temperatures, which provide liquid nitrogen. The pathological area is frozen and then cut off. This treatment is painless, it is suitable for young girls who have not yet given birth. Rehabilitation in this case takes about two months.
Cervical Removal
This treatment technique is used for the progression of pathology, as well as in cases of its degeneration into oncology. The operation is performed using a laparoscope. During the surgery, part of the cervix, the mucous membrane that covers the cervical canal, is removed. In this case, the woman’s reproductive function is preserved, since the uterus is not removed.
Polyp of the cervical canal removal, treatment involves immediately after diagnosis in order to reduce the risk of complications and cancer in the future. After the operation, medication is prescribed.
Drug therapy
After removing the polyps, the doctor prescribes medications:
- Hormones to normalize hormonal balance, reduce estrogen levels, increase progesterone. Such treatment is aimed at reducing the risk of relapse after surgery. Often, gynecologists prescribe oral contraceptives, for example, "Janine" or "Regulon." The course of treatment is at least three months.
- Antibacterial drugs in the presence of concomitant infections and inflammations.
- NSAIDs are prescribed in the presence of adnexitis or cervicitis.
- Vitamin and mineral complexes to enhance immunity.
Forecast and Prevention
Not every woman knows what a polyp of the cervical canal is, what happens and how it is treated. Since this pathology is often diagnosed, doctors recommend gaining knowledge about this disease in order to be able to recognize its symptoms in time and consult a gynecologist.
The prognosis of the pathology in most cases is favorable. But relapses occur in 30% of cases. Therefore, after the removal of education, the patient should be under the supervision of a doctor.
For the purpose of prevention, it is necessary to regularly undergo gynecological examinations, timely treat STDs, as well as other diseases of an infectious and inflammatory nature, to prevent traumatic effects on the uterus.