Can cervical polyps become cancerous?

Written by Li Shun Hua

Obstetrics and Gynecology

Updated on February 19, 2025

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Cervical polyps are mostly caused by chronic cervical inflammation and local cervical tissue hyperplasia. Cervical cancer is caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, so cervical polyps generally do not lead to malignancy, and the rate of malignant transformation is very low, accounting for only about 1%. If there is an HPV infection along with cervical polyps, malignant transformation of the cervical polyps can occur. Therefore, if cervical polyps are present, they should be removed, and after removal, a pathological examination is necessary to determine if there is any malignancy.

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong

Obstetrics and Gynecology

1min 1sec

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How long will it take for bleeding from a cervical polyp to stop?

Cervical polyps generally cause bloody discharge or light bleeding after intercourse. Such bleeding usually does not last long. Therefore, cervical polyps generally require a hospital visit for outpatient surgery to remove the polyps. After the removal, pathology tests are generally conducted and if there are no issues, it is usually not a big concern. Having cervical polyps generally does not cause prolonged bleeding. If irregular bleeding occurs, further examination such as endocrine testing at the hospital is necessary. Additionally, cervical cancer screening should be conducted. It is essential to identify the cause of the irregular bleeding and then treat accordingly based on the examination results. Isolated cervical polyps will not cause heavy bleeding; they only cause light bleeding after intercourse or bloody discharge, which is minor bleeding.

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Written by Hou Jie

Obstetrics and Gynecology

55sec

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How to treat cervical polyp cysts?

If a gynecological examination determines cervical polyps or cervical cysts, then local removal of the polyps and surgical clearance of the cysts will suffice. Both conditions are common gynecological diseases. Since the surgeries are simple and relatively low risk, most can be performed in an outpatient setting. If the patient's condition is more unusual, hospitalization for surgery may be safer. Specific approaches need to be tailored to the patient's individual circumstances in collaboration with the treating physician to achieve good therapeutic outcomes. Both cervical polyps and cervical cysts are manifestations of inflammatory diseases and are benign, so patients need not be overly anxious.

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Written by Shen Li Wen

Obstetrics and Gynecology

52sec

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Is cervical polyp not very serious?

In most cases, cervical polyps in women are benign lesions of the cervix caused by chronic inflammation. If the polyp is small, typically the clinical symptoms are not severe, or there may even be no symptoms at all. Some women might experience a small amount of vaginal bleeding or blood-streaked discharge after intercourse or a gynecological examination. When the size of the cervical polyp increases, the clinical manifestations can be more severe, such as bloody discharge or bleeding after intercourse. In very rare cases, regardless of the size, cervical polyps may be cancerous. In such cases, it is necessary to remove them promptly and perform a histopathological examination to determine whether the lesion is benign or malignant.

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Written by Liu Jian Wei

Obstetrics and Gynecology

39sec

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Can cervical polyps fall off by themselves?

Whether cervical polyps will fall off on their own depends on the location and size of the cervical polyp and whether the base of the polyp is deep. If the cervical polyp is small and located at the external opening of the cervix, and the base of the polyp is shallow, there is a possibility that the polyp may fall off during physical activity, but this is rare. Especially when the cervical polyp is large, with a deep base, and located deep in the internal opening of the cervix, in this case, the cervical polyp will not fall off on its own, and surgery is required to remove it.

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong

Obstetrics and Gynecology

1min 9sec

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Best time for cervical polyp surgery

The best time for cervical polyp surgery is within three to seven days after the end of menstruation, when the cervical canal polyp removal surgery should be performed. After the surgery, the removed tissue must be re-examined pathologically, as most polyps are benign, but a very small number may have malignant tendencies. Therefore, it is essential to perform another pathological examination after the cervical polyp removal surgery. After surgery, oral anti-inflammatory medication should be taken for symptomatic treatment, and sexual intercourse should be avoided for a month. Topical medications can also be used for symptomatic treatment. Since most cervical polyps are caused by chronic inflammation, postoperative anti-inflammatory or topical medications can be used for symptomatic treatment to prevent the recurrence of polyps. After the removal of a cervical canal polyp, it is crucial to have a follow-up check every six months to a year, as polyps are prone to recurrence.