Chapter 2 – The Cervix

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Cervical polyps

Cervical polyps are a common and often incidental finding at the time of routine cervical screening occurring in up to 10 per cent of patients.(6) Most cervical polyps are asymptomatic, especially in postmenopausal patients, however approximately one third are associated with abnormal vaginal bleeding including intermenstrual, irregular or post coital bleeding.

Cervical polyps are polypoid growths which originate at the ectocervix or the endocervix and are between 5mm and 5 cm in size. Endocervical polyps are most prevalent in patients aged 40 to 65 years.(6) They are usually cherry red in appearance, single or multiple, and may appear as a pedunculated lesion on a stalk. Ectocervical polyps are usually single greyish-white smooth lesions. They are associated with a very low risk of malignancy (0-0.1 per cent) but this risk increases with age.(6) Differential diagnoses for cervical polyps include a prolapsed endometrial polyp or fibroid as well as malignancy.

Older patients are also more likely to have associated endometrial polyps which can be visualised on a pelvic ultrasound and are associated with a higher risk of malignancy.

Management of cervical polyps

Management of cervical polyps will depend on a number of factors including the patient’s age, size ... Buy now