Polyp
Polyps are small, protruding masses that can occur in various organs in the body, usually resulting from abnormal cell growth. Polyps can usually be found in internal organs such as the intestines, uterus, nose, and stomach. Polyps in the intestines are usually the most common.
In women, they can be observed in the vagina, cervix, and uterus in the gynecological system. Polyps, which are frequently encountered in the uterus, are also called endometrial polyps. These polyps are often benign, rarely malignant or precancerous (cancer-like). The risk of polyps becoming malignant is 5%. This risk is higher if you are in menopause or have abnormal bleeding.
Endometrial polyps can be of various sizes and more than one in number. They are usually detected during routine gynecological check-ups and do not cause any complaints in the patient. Symptomatic polyps often present with irregular menstrual cycles, bleeding during menopause, infertility, bleeding or spotting between menstruations, and heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding.
Polyps are usually sensitive to hormones, especially estrogen. They tend to grow in the presence of estrogen. Obesity, perimenopause or menopause, high blood pressure, using tamoxifen for breast cancer treatment, and receiving hormone replacement therapy during menopause are risk factors for endometrial polyps.
A detailed gynecological examination is important for diagnosis. The patient’s complaints can provide an idea, and gynecological ultrasound can be diagnostic in most patients. Apart from these, sonohysterography, hysteroscopy, endometrial curettage, D&C (dilation and curettage) can be used.
The patient’s age, menstrual cycle, family history of cancer, the presence of a risk factor for uterine cancer, and her complaints guide treatment. In a young woman of reproductive age, your doctor may recommend close follow-up for an incidentally observed, asymptomatic polyp. If complaints occur during this process or if the polyp grows rapidly, surgery may be recommended. Polyp removal may be recommended in the menopausal period, in those with abnormal bleeding, or in those who have difficulty conceiving. Polyps may recur after removal, but rarely.
The gold standard in surgical treatment of polyps is hysteroscopic polypectomy. In other words, a minimally invasive tool called a hysteroscope is used to enter the uterus under anesthesia. The uterus is inflated with fluid, allowing all walls to be seen in detail. During the procedure, you can see all polyps and completely cut and remove them from the root. In this way, you will greatly reduce the risk of recurrence. Polyps can also be removed with D&C or curettage, but since it is a procedure performed without seeing, the probability of not being able to completely remove the polyp and its recurrence is higher. Both procedures can be performed under sedation. After the procedure, you can stay in the hospital for a few hours and return to your daily life after your check-ups are performed. Even if there is a small amount of pain after the two procedures, it is expected to disappear within a few hours.
