What does a cervical polyp look like?

Polyps are usually cherry-red to reddish-purple or grayish-white. They vary in size and often look like bulbs on thin stems. Cervical polyps are usually not cancerous (benign) and can occur alone or in groups. Most polyps are small, about 1 centimeter to 2 centimeters long.

How do you know if a cervical polyp is cancerous?

The diagnosis of most cervical polyps takes place during routine pelvic examinations or Pap smear tests. If polyps are present, a doctor may wish to remove them. The doctor will also take tissue samples, called biopsies, of the polyps to check whether they are cancerous or benign.

What is considered a large cervical polyp?

Fibroepithelial cervical polyps (FEPs) are benign growths protruding from the inner surface of the cervix. They are typically asymptomatic, but a very small minority can undergo malignant change. Giant cervical polyps with a size greater than 4 cm are rare entities with only 23 reported cases in the literature.

What percent of cervical polyps are cancer?

As mentioned earlier, cervical polyps are benign in most cases, although they may be malignant in 0.2 to 1.5% of the cases. The removal of cervical polyps is a simple procedure with low complications. Women who have previously had polyps are at risk of recurrence.

What is the most common symptom of cervical polyp?

The common symptoms of cervical polyps include:

  • unusual vaginal bleeding such as bleeding after sexual intercourse.
  • bleeding between your menstrual periods.
  • bleeding after menopause.
  • white or yellow mucous or discharge from your vagina.

What happens if a polyp that is removed contains cancer?

The doctor will then send any removed polyps to a pathologist for a biopsy to see if cancer is present. If the biopsy reveals that cancer is present, then cancer specialists will outline a treatment plan for the person. Common treatments for colon cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.

What will happens if cervical polyps are not removed?

Removing the polyp will ease symptoms such as bleeding after intercourse or bleeding between your menstrual periods. If not removed, a polyp may continue to grow. In a small number of women (between 2 and 15 in every 1000), the polyp may become abnormal and develop into cancer.

What does cancerous polyp look like?

Most aren’t cancerous (benign), but a polyp contains abnormal cells or cells that may become abnormal (malignant). A polyp is usually a flat bump or shaped like a mushroom. Cancerous polyps can develop in many places in your body, such as your colon or uterus.

Does the size of a polyp indicate cancer?

The size of the polyp correlates with the development of cancer. Polyps less than 1 centimeter in size have a slightly greater than a 1% chance of becoming cancer, but those 2 centimeters or greater have a 40% chance of transforming into cancer. Overall, the incidence is about 5%.