Teknon
Dr. Guillermo Bassols
Polyps

Dr. Guillermo Bassols,

Gynecology and Obstetrics

Polyps
Gynecological cancer
Mammary pathology
Ovarian cysts
Uterine myomas
Uterine malformations
Cervical pathology
Human papilloma virus vaccine
Surgical techniques

Polyp (ultrasound)

What are polyps?

Uterine polyps (or endometrial polyps) are small masses of extra tissue found within the uterine cavity and which grow at the expense of the mucous membrane lining this cavity: the endometrium. They may occur singly or multiply.

Although they can develop at any age, women between the ages of 40 and 60 are most susceptible to uterine polyps.

Diseases of the uterine neck

Cervicitis

Most of the inflammatory processes affecting the neck of the uterus are the result of agents, either infectious or non-infectious, that act at this point.

Among the infectious agents we may mention bacterial types (gonorrhoeae, clamydia), viral agents (human papilloma virus or HPV) and candidiasis.

Among the non-infectious agents are physical trauma, chemical irritants and previous uterine neck surgery.

Endocervical polyps

These are growths of variable size that protrude through the external orifice of the uterine neck.

They often exhibit no symptoms, although are sometimes accompanied by irregular vaginal blood loss, in which case extirpation at a local health clinic is recommended.

They are sometimes associated with inflammatory processes of the uterine neck.

Cysts

Naboth cysts are the product of an obstruction in the glandular tissue of the uterine neck, leading to an accumulation of mucous secretion that forms a cyst.

The volume of these cysts may vary, as well as their location at the neck of the uterus.

Other cysts of the uterine neck may be caused by endometriosis or parasitic inclusions.

Everted cylindrical epithelium

Everted cylindrical epithelium, also known as ectopy, is frequently found in infancy, during pregnancy or when the patient is under treatment with hormonal contraceptives.

It often disappears with the onset of the menopause.

It only requires treatment if it exhibits the symptoms described (hematic loss).

Cancer of the uterine neck

This is one of the most frequent cancers affecting the female reproductive system.

In most cases, the cause of this type of cancer is the human papilloma virus (HPV).

Although the diagnosis of the presence of this virus by means of cervical cytology (the Papanicolaou test), colposcopy, cervical biopsy, hibridization techniques, etc., may cause alarm among the female population, it must be remembered that many years may pass between the moment when the virus reaches the neck of the uterus until the point at which the cancer eventually appears (should this occur), during which time a suitable diagnosis can be performed and treatment followed to prevent cervical cancer from developing.