Endometrial Polyps - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment of Endometrial Polyps
What is Endometrial polyps?
Endometrial polyps are small growths inside the uterus that are almost always benign (non-cancerous).
However, they can cause a lot of abnormal and heavy bleeding, because they irritate the lining of the uterus.
Endometrial polyps are localized overgrowths of the endometrium (innermost uterine layer) that project into the uterine cavity. Such polyps may be sessile (broad-based) or pedunculated (on a narrow stalk) and rarely include areas of neoplastic (benign or malignant) growth. Specifically, adenomatous hyperplasia (benign growth of the endometrium) and endometrial adenocarcinomas (malignant tumors of the glandular component of the endometrium), have been reported in only 0.6% of cases of endometrial polyps.
Most endometrial polyps are solitary. In approximately 20% of cases multiple polyps are present. Polyps peak between ages 40 and 50 years, but many cases occur in menopausal women. In fewer than 1% of cases, polyps are associated with cancer. The usual presenting symptom is intermenstrual bleeding.
Symptoms and signs of Endometrial Polyps
Sometimes symptoms to not occur. Often, symptoms do not occur when the polyps are small. When symptoms do occur, the most common symptoms are:
- heavy or prolonged menstrual periods
- bleeding during hormonal therapy
- spotting between menstrual periods
- pelvic cramps
Diagnosis of Endometrial polyps?
Endometrial polyps can be detected by ultrasound or hysteroscopy. Hysteroscopy is a procedure where a small scope is inserted into the uterus to look for polyps.
Treatment of Endometrial Polyps
They can be removed by a procedure called Dilation and Curettage, ("D&C"), which involves scraping with a blunt instrument and tearing (or "avulsing") with polyp forceps.
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