There can be one or many uterine polyps. They usually stay within the uterus, but they can slip through the opening of the uterus (cervix) into the vagina. Uterine polyps are most common in people who are going through or have completed menopause.
Polyps do not usually turn into cancer. But if some types of polyps (called adenomas) are not removed, there's a chance they may eventually become cancerous. Doctors believe that most bowel cancers develop from adenoma polyps. But very few polyps will turn into cancer, and it takes many years for this to happen.
The truth is, the growth rate of uterine polyps is rather low. Only a small percentage of polyps seem to come back—and if they do so, it can happen months or even years after treatment. It should be noted that they are more likely to develop in women who are between 40 and 50 years old.
Treatment. Many polyps should be removed because of the small risk for cancer. Endometrial polyps are most often removed by a procedure called hysteroscopy. Sometimes, a D and C procedure (Dilation and Curettage) can be done to biopsy the endometrium and remove the polyp.
Most women feel better within the first week following surgery; however, do not lift, push or pull any heavy objects for a couple of weeks. Do not resume sexual intercourse or douche until your doctor says it is OK. Full recovery takes about two weeks to allow for internal healing.
ANSWER: It is rare for uterine polyps to be cancerous. If they aren't causing problems, monitoring the polyps over time is a reasonable approach. If you develop symptoms, such as abnormal bleeding, however, then the polyps should be removed and evaluated to confirm that there is no evidence of cancer.
If you have a polyp, your healthcare provider can determine whether it's a cancerous tumor. This usually involves a biopsy. During a biopsy, your healthcare provider takes a small sample of tissue or removes the entire polyp. Then, an expert looks at the polyp's cells under a microscope.
Anemia is especially common in women, especially for women who experience heavy periods, have uterine fibroid tumors, or uterine polyps. A hallmark of anemia is fatigue.
But some colon cancers may start as polyps. So, the more polyps you have, the higher your cancer risk. Someone with just one or two small polyps is generally at lower risk of having or developing colon cancer than someone with three to nine, or more.
Most polyps grow slowly and take from between 10 and 15 years to become cancerous. Due to this general time frame, most screenings are scheduled every 10 years which gives Colorectal Surgical Associates time to remove any polyps before they become cancerous.
The doctor will then send any removed polyps to a pathologist for a biopsy to see if cancer is present. If the biopsy reveals that cancer is present, then cancer specialists will outline a treatment plan for the person. Common treatments for colon cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.
A tissue sample (biopsy) may be taken of a polyp to determine if it is cancerous. Polyps do show up on ultrasound, though it is not usually the primary screening method for polyps. Colon polyps are often diagnosed during screening to check for colon or rectal cancer.
Uterine polyps can cause irregular menstrual bleeding, bleeding after menopause, very heavy menstrual flow or bleeding between periods. Uterine polyps are growths attached to the inner wall of the uterus that expand into the uterus.
Surgical removal.
During hysteroscopy, instruments inserted through the device used to see inside the uterus (hysteroscope) make it possible to remove polyps. The removed polyp will likely be sent to a lab for examination.
What causes uterine polyps? No definitive cause of endometrial polyps is known, but they appear to be affected by hormone levels and grow in response to estrogen circulating in the blood. Endometrial polyps are rare among women younger than 20 years of age.
Become too stressed, and the spike in your hormone levels could encourage fibroid growth. Leading a stress-free life may not prevent you from developing uterine fibroids. It is estimated that 70 to 80 percent of all women develop these noncancerous growths between 35 and 54, with or without stress as a factor.
Polyps and Weight Gain
While it's true that being overweight can be a risk factor for developing uterine polyps1, does the presence of polyps cause weight gain or bloating? It appears that other growths of the female reproductive system can cause weight gain and bloating more often than polyps.
A basic pelvic exam may allow your doctor to find polyps, especially if you find a polyp on the cervix. Pap smear, a regular and routine test, may reveal abnormal cells if you have polyps. Ultrasound is another test that can detect masses in your uterus.
Uterine fibroids are made up of thick muscle tissues while polyps are made from endometrial tissues (lining of the uterus). Thus, polyps are more dangerous than uterine fibroids as they lead to serious health issues that include vaginal bleeding, bladder issues, abnormal menses, and even cancer.
Abnormal growths
Polyps, tumors, and bladder stones may cause urinary leakage, especially urge incontinence. These growths can usually be treated with the help of your doctor.
Uterine polyps are very common. Up to 3 in 10 people may have them at some point in their lives (3, 4), but fewer than 1 in 100 people develop polyps before age 30 (3, 5). They occur most commonly leading up to and after menopause (6).
Since most polyps are small, they probably do not often cause symptoms. However, when symptoms do occur, they usually include excessive bleeding during a menstrual period, or bleeding in between periods, or even spotting after intercourse. Some women report a few days of brown blood after a normal menstrual period.
Similarly, you should avoid straining and strenuous exercise for at least 10 days. You can resume regular exercise after two weeks. Aspirin/NSAIDs. Aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications like Motrin, Advil and Aleve should be avoided two weeks prior to and two weeks following surgery.