Introduction
Uterine polyps (uterine polyps) are benign changes in the lining of the uterus that are normally harmless. Polyps can occur at any age, although they are more common during or after menopause. Many women are affected by polyps, but do not necessarily need treatment if they are free of symptoms. With appropriate therapy, polyps can be completely cured.
Definition Polyps
The term “polyp” describes an elevation of the mucous membrane visible to the naked eye, which often grows stalked, sometimes also broadly into a hollow organ. In principle, polyps can be benign or malignant and can occur, for example, in the uterus, intestine, stomach or paranasal sinuses. Uterine polyps are almost always benign and can be found in the body of the uterus as well as in the cervix.
If polyps of the uterus occur at the cervix, the so-called cervix uteri, they are also called cervical polyps. These are much more common than polyps in the uterine body. If they block the entrance of the uterus, they can sometimes cause problems.
They can be an obstacle to childbirth or cause problems when becoming pregnant. Furthermore, polyps of the cervix can cause bleeding outside the menstrual period. This type of bleeding is called inter-bleeding. In rare cases, large polyps can also cause pain during sexual intercourse.
Can polyps of the uterus be malignant?
Polyps are benign growths of the inner uterine mucosa. However, there is also a small risk (0.5%) that they can degenerate malignantly and develop into a tumor. Polyps of the cervix generally have a slightly lower risk of malignant changes.
Because of this risk, polyps should be checked regularly for growth. In case of doubt, they should be removed and examined for fine tissue (biopsy). In this way it can be determined with certainty whether the polyps are benign or malignant tissue.
In case of intermediate bleeding or other complaints, removal of the polyp is generally recommended. Polyps are initially benign growths of the uterine mucosa, which often remain free of symptoms for a long time. Like any cell proliferation, however, there is a small risk that a precancerous stage of cancer may develop in the course of the disease.
In general, polyps rarely lead to cervical or uterine cancer. The growth of adenoids is dependent on the female hormone, estrogen, so that spontaneous growth can occur during the menstrual cycle with complete regression during the monthly bleeding. These polyps are harmless and cannot degenerate malignantly.
However, all other polyps have the potential to become a precancerous stage. In rare cases, a cancerous growth of the uterine muscles may also be hidden behind them. Even benign polyps can, depending on their size, cause enormous discomfort, such as constant intermediate bleeding or even miscarriage or premature birth.
For younger patients, removal of the uterine polyps is therefore recommended. In older patients, the risk of surgery should be weighed against the risk of malignant degeneration of the polyp. In this case, a biopsy can be taken in a small procedure to determine whether the polyp is a benign or malignant growth.
If the findings are benign, monitoring may then be sufficient. In case of doubt, you should also always seek a second opinion from another gynecologist who is very familiar with polyps. It is also important to know exactly where the polyps are located. Polyps in the area of the cervix are almost always benign, whereas the polyps in the area of the uterine body can degenerate and become a malignant cancer in every 2000th woman. Polyps in themselves are not dangerous, as they are benign growths that very rarely become malignant.
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