From the Guidelines
You should be concerned about a polyp on your cervix, but most cervical polyps are benign (non-cancerous) and can be easily evaluated and treated by a healthcare provider. Cervical polyps are growths that appear on the cervix, usually smooth, red or purple in color, and range from a few millimeters to a few centimeters in size. While most are harmless, they can cause symptoms like abnormal vaginal bleeding, spotting after intercourse, or unusual discharge. According to the USPSTF recommendation statement 1, the accuracy of detecting and the benefit of treating some of these conditions early, while women are asymptomatic, is unknown. However, it is essential to schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider for proper evaluation. They will likely perform a pelvic exam and may remove the polyp through a simple procedure called polypectomy, which can often be done in the office with minimal discomfort. The removed tissue will typically be sent for laboratory analysis to rule out any precancerous or cancerous cells.
Some key points to consider:
- Cervical polyps are rarely cancerous (less than 1%) 1
- Proper medical evaluation is necessary to confirm the nature of the polyp and address any symptoms you may be experiencing
- Regular gynecological check-ups are important for early detection and treatment of cervical issues
- The American Cancer Society guidelines for the early detection of cancer recommend that women should begin annual screening at the age of 18 or at the onset of sexual activity 1
- HPV testing has been proposed as a strategy for screening, but its role in secondary prevention strategies for cervical cancer is still being researched 1
It is crucial to prioritize your health and schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider to evaluate the polyp and discuss any concerns you may have. Early detection and treatment can significantly improve outcomes and quality of life.
From the Research
Cervical Polyp Concerns
- The majority of cervical polyps are asymptomatic, but they can cause intermenstrual bleeding, postcoital bleeding, heavy menses, postmenopausal bleeding, and vaginal discharge 2.
- Cervical polyps may be detected by routine gynaecological examination, colposcopy, filling defects on hysterosalpingogram, gynaecological ultrasound, or endometrial biopsy 2.
- The location, number, and size of cervical polyps are best determined with diagnostic hysteroscopy 2.
Treatment and Evaluation
- Routine removal of cervical polyps, although not mandatory, seems clinically prudent because pathological evaluation is needed to confirm the diagnosis and to rule out other possibilities 3.
- Removal of the polyp as an outpatient procedure is recommended for the asymptomatic patient 4.
- Hospitalization and removal of the polyp under general anesthesia, accompanied by D&C, should be reserved for the symptomatic patients only, or even then, replaced by ambulatory polypectomy and endometrial sampling 4.
- Cervical polyps can be a sign of endometrial disease, especially in postmenopausal women, and the endometrium should be evaluated more carefully in these cases 3.
Risk of Malignancy
- The prevalence of malignancy in cervical polyps is low, with only 0.1% of cases encountered in one study 3.
- There is a statistically significant relation between menopausal status and malignancy of cervical polyps, as well as malignancy of the endometrial cavity 3.
- Accompanying endometrial pathologies, such as endometrial cancer, hyperplasia without atypia, and endometrial polyp, were found in a significant percentage of patients with cervical polyps 3.