Saturday, February, 11, 2012

Cervical polyps

Table of Contents

Treatment

The health care provider can remove polyps during a simple, outpatient procedure. Gentle twisting of a cervical polyp may remove it. Larger polyps may require removal with electrocautery.

Although most cervical polyps are not cancerous (benign), the removed tissue should be sent to a laboratory and checked further.


Support Groups


Expectations (prognosis)

Typically, polyps are not cancerous (benign) and are easy to remove. Polyps do not usually grow back. Women who have polyps are at risk of growing more polyps.


Complications

Some cervical cancers may first appear as a polyp. There may be bleeding and slight cramping for a few days after removal of a polyp.


Calling your health care provider

Call for an appointment if you have:

  • Abnormal bleeding from the vagina
  • Abnormal discharge from the vagina
  • Abnormally heavy periods

Call your health care appointment to schedule regular gynecological exams and to determine how often you should receive a Pap smear .



Review Date: 02/22/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)