Endometrial polyp

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Endometrial polyp
Classification and external resources
Endometrial polyp, viewed by sonography.
ICD-10 N84.0
ICD-9 621

An endometrial polyp or uterine polyp is a big lump in the inner lining of the uterus.[1] They may have a large flat base (sessile) or be attached to the uterus by an elongated pedicle (pedunculated).[1][2] Pedunculated polyps are more common than sessile ones.[3] They range in size from a few millimeters to several centimeters.[2] If pedunculated, they can protrude through the cervix into the vagina.[1][4] Small blood vessels may be present, particularly in large polyps.[1]

Contents

Cause and symptoms

No definitive cause of endometrial polyps is known, but they appear to be affected by hormone levels and grow in response to circulating estrogen.[2] They often cause no symptoms.[3] Where they occur, symptoms include irregular menstrual bleeding, bleeding between menstrual periods, excessively heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia), and vaginal bleeding after menopause.[2][5] Bleeding from the blood vessels of the polyp contributes to an increase of blood loss during menstruation and blood "spotting" between menstrual periods, or after menopause.[6] If the polyp protrudes through the cervix into the vagina, pain (dysmenorrhea) may result.[4]

Diagnosis

Endometrial polyps can be detected by vaginal ultrasound (sonohysterography), hysteroscopy and dilation and curettage.[2] Detection by ultrasonography can be difficult, particularly when there is endometrial hyperplasia (excessive thickening of the endometrium).[1] Larger polyps may be missed by curettage.[7]

Treatment

Polyps can be surgically removed using curettage or hysterescopy.[8] When curettage is performed, polyps may be missed. To reduce this risk, the uterus can be first explored using grasping forceps at the beginning of the curettage procedure.[6] During hysterescopy, the polyp can be visualized and removed through the cervix. If it is a large polyp, it can be cut into sections before each section is removed.[6] If cancerous cells are discovered, a hysterectomy may be performed.[2] A hysterectomy would usually not be considered if cancer has been ruled out.[6] Whichever method is used, polyps are usually treated under general anesthetic.[7]

Prognosis and complications

Endometrial polyps are usually benign although some may be precancerous or cancerous.[2] About 0.5% of endometrial polyps contain adenocarcinoma cells.[9] Polyps can increase the risk of miscarriage in women undergoing IVF treatment.[2] If they develop near the fallopian tubes, they may lead to difficulty in becoming pregnant.[2] Although treatments such as hysterescopy usually cure the polyp concerned, recurrence of endometrial polyps is frequent.[6] Untreated, small polyps may regress on their own.[10]

Risk factors and epidemiology

Endometrial polyps usually occur in women in their 40s and 50s.[2] Risk factors include obesity, high blood pressure and a history of cervical polyps.[2] Taking tamoxifen or hormone replacement therapy can also increase the risk of uterine polyps.[2][11] The use of an IntraUterine System containing levonorgestrel in women taking Tamoxifen may reduce the incidence of polyps.[12] Endometrial polyps occur in up to 10% of women.[1] It is estimated that they are present in 25% of women with abnormal vaginal bleeding.[11]

Structure

Endometrial polyps can be solitary or occur with others.[13] They are round or oval and measure between a few millimeters to several centimeters in diameter.[13][6] They are usually the same red/brown color of the surrounding endometrium although large ones can appear to be a darker red.[6] The polyps consist of dense, fibrous tissue (stroma), blood vessels and glandlike spaces lined with endometrial epithelium.[6] If they are pedunculated, they are attached by a thin stalk (pedicle). If they are sessile, they are connected by a flat base to the uterine wall.[13] Pedunculated polyps are more common than sessile ones.[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Jane A. Bates (1997). Practical Gynaecological Ultrasound. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 1-900151-51-0. 
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Uterine polyps". MayoClinic.com (2006-04-27).
  3. ^ a b c Sternberg, Stephen S.; Stacey E. Mills, Darryl Carter (2004). Sternberg's Diagnostic Surgical Pathology. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2460. ISBN 0781740517. 
  4. ^ a b Dysmenorrhea: Menstrual abnormalities at Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy Professional Edition
  5. ^ "Endometrial Polyp". GPnotebook. Retrieved on 2007-10-20.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h DeCherney, Alan H.; Lauren Nathan (2003). Current Obstetric & Gynecologic Diagnosis & Treatment. McGraw-Hill Professional, 703. ISBN 0838514014. 
  7. ^ a b Macnair, Trisha. "Ask the doctor - Uterine polyps". BBC Health. Retrieved on 2007-10-21.
  8. ^ "Uterine bleeding - Signs and Symptoms". UCSF Medical Center (2007-05-08). Retrieved on 2007-10-20.
  9. ^ Rubin, Raphael; David S Strayer (2007). Rubin's Pathology: Clinicopathologic Foundations of Medicine, 806. ISBN 0781795168. 
  10. ^ Kaunitz, Andrew M. (2002-08-26). "Asymptomatic Endometrial Polyps: What Is the Likelihood of Cancer?". Medscape Ob/Gyn & Women's Health. Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
  11. ^ a b Edmonds, D. Keith; Sir John Dewhurst (2006). Dewhurst's Textbook of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Blackwell Publishing, 637. ISBN 1405156678. 
  12. ^ Chan SS, Tam WH, Yeo W, et al (2007). "A randomised controlled trial of prophylactic levonorgestrel intrauterine system in tamoxifen-treated women". BJOG 114 (12): 1510–5. doi:10.1111/j.1471-0528.2007.01545.x. PMID 17995495. 
  13. ^ a b c Bajo Arenas, José M.; Asim Kurjak (2005). Donald School Textbook Of Transvaginal Sonography. Taylor & Francis, 502. ISBN 184214331X. 
v • d • e
Diseases of the pelvis and genitals (N40-N99, 600-629)
Female
Other/general
Male
Other
See also congenital, neoplasia

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  • This page was last modified on 16 August 2008, at 11:25.

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