Differential Diagnosis for Cervical Erythema and Polyp in a 72-Year-Old Female
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Cervical polyp with associated inflammation: This is a common condition in postmenopausal women, where a polyp (a growth on a stalk) forms on the cervix, potentially causing erythema (redness) due to inflammation or irritation.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Cervicitis: An inflammation of the cervix, which can be caused by infection, and may present with erythema and potentially a polypoid appearance due to swelling.
- Nabothian cyst: A benign condition where mucus-filled cysts form on the surface of the cervix, which can sometimes appear as a polyp and cause erythema if they become inflamed or irritated.
- Cervical ectropion: A condition where the glandular cells lining the inside of the cervical canal are everted to the outside of the cervix, potentially causing erythema and a polyp-like appearance.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Cervical cancer: Although less likely, it is crucial not to miss this diagnosis. Cervical cancer can present with abnormal vaginal bleeding, but in some cases, it may cause a visible lesion or polyp on the cervix, accompanied by erythema.
- Invasive cervical lesions (e.g., adenocarcinoma in situ): Similar to cervical cancer, these lesions are critical to identify early, as they can progress to invasive cancer if not treated.
Rare Diagnoses
- Cervical sarcoma: A rare type of cancer that originates in the connective tissue of the cervix, which could potentially present as a polyp with erythema.
- Metastatic disease to the cervix: Although extremely rare, cancers from other parts of the body can metastasize to the cervix, presenting with unusual lesions or polyps and erythema.
- Cervical lymphoma: A rare condition where lymphoma involves the cervix, potentially causing erythema and polypoid lesions.