Uterus (neck) polyps

What is a cervical polyp?
A polyp is a generally harmless overgrowth of mucous. Mucosal holds internal body cavities and comes in various places in the body, such as the nose, bladder, intestines and into the uterus or cervix.
Polyps vary in size and shape. Shapes include a ball, a button, a mushroom or flat like a saucer. The size varies from as small as a pinhead to a few centimeters in size. Polyps in the uterus or cervix are grape-shaped and can have a diameter of about 2 cm. Sometimes there are multiple polyps, but is often only one.
Polyps are usually found in women of childbearing age. After the transition they rarely more. A uterine polyp is like a fibroid (a proliferation in the uterus), but is something else. A fibroid is primarily of muscle, while a polyp from mucosal tissue exist: soft tissue that looks a bit shiny.

Symptoms
Polyps in the uterus or cervix are not always noticed, but they can be a cause of menstrual problems. In between periods can a watery, bloody discharge from the vagina. Menstruation itself may thus be heavier and a lot of blood loss concerns. Extreme blood loss can cause anemia.
A polyp can also cause the cervix that bleeds easily. This can be noticed, for example, after intercourse or during pregnancy.

Cervical cancer
Most polyps are benign, but the symptoms are not of cervical cancer can be distinguished. Moreover, in some cases (about 1 in 20) yet become cancerous. Therefore it is good to take no risks with complaints by a doctor or your gynecologist for examination. This will make a smear, and possibly a small "test bite" (biopsy) from the polyp for examination. This can be determined whether it is indeed a polyp is innocent. These can then be removed. This is a quick, painless procedure with no anesthesia needed. When there is a suspicion of cancer exists, the polyp sent for microscopic examination. 

Diagnosis: Diagnostic hysteroscopy
To determine whether anyone or more polyps in the uterus, it is necessary to look into the uterus. This is done by an echo, or an internal examination with a hysteroscope. This is a hollow tube (the shaft) which is half tube of ± 5mm thickness is a channel where a beam going through, lenses and a space for gas or liquid to pass through. The hysteroscope is a viewing tube so the doctor directly inside the uterus can see. The hysteroscope can be connected to a camera to a TV so you can look in the womb. In the latter case, you can watch yourself, if you like.
This study, a diagnostic hysteroscopy, takes place at the outpatient clinic, the treatment center or an outpatient. If it is only one study, anesthesia is usually unnecessary. Is then given a local anesthetic. There is usually no pain after the examination. Treatments usually done under general anesthesia.
Reason for a diagnostic hysteroscopy is usually abnormal bleeding, menstrual problems, infertility or miscarriages.

Treatment
Hysteroscopy
Through a hysteroscopy can also be abnormalities in the uterine cavity to be treated. Polyps can be removed this way.
You take place in a similar study chair as usual during the gynecological examination. Then follows a first internal examination (the size and position of the uterus to assess). This is followed by disinfecting the labia with non-stinging iodine. Finally, the physician or a duckbill "speculum" in. The doctor grabs the cervix with a pair of pliers fixed. In the case of local anesthetic spray to the doctor it with a thin needle in a few places in the cervix. Most women find it little or no pain. However it can be a little bleeding. The doctor now brings the hysteroscope through the channel of the cervix into the uterine cavity.

The front and rear wall of the uterus lie against each other. To get a good view is so little liquid or carbon dioxide gas through the hysteroscope into the uterus. This expansion of the uterine cavity may cause menstrual cramps. It is possible to visit, or through the hysteroscope to insert a pair of pliers to do minor surgery. Examples include:

• The removal of a spiral, polyp or adhesions.
• Biopsy. Here is a sample of tissue taken for investigation.
• Curettage. After hysteroscopy, using a thin tube that sucked tissue for microscopic examination. This can be painful, but it takes less than ten seconds.

Surgical removal
Also, that the polyps of the cervix through exisie (surgical removal) should be treated. This happens on the day treatment with an epidural or general anesthesia.

Read more »

Uterus

Uterine (cervical) cancer occurs in the Netherlands every year about 2,200 women. Usually diagnosed after symptoms of abnormal bleeding, such as interim bleeding, bleeding after intercourse (contact bleeding) or re-occurring blood loss after menopause. We distinguish between cancer of the uterine body and cervical cancer. Cancer of the uterine body is by far the most common and is mainly found in old age. The deviation is based on the lining of the uterus. When cervical cancer is the deviation from the mucosa or (usually) the outer lining of the cervix. There may be metastases occur in the ovaries, the lymph nodes in the pelvis and upwards into the abdomen.

 

Treatment

In cancer of the uterine body, usually the surgeon removes your uterus and ovaries surgically. Sometimes the lymph nodes in the pelvis surgically removed. In certain situations, then follow a further radiation treatment. This is usually an external radiation treatment .

If you experience a limited tumor spread in cervical cancer occurs, you will also undergo a surgery. This is a larger operation. Here, the uterus, ovaries, the supporting tissues around the uterus and the upper part of the sheath removed. Also, the lymph nodes in the pelvis removed. Sometimes afterwards additional, usually external, radiation needed.

When the cancer in an advanced stage, we combine radiotherapy (external and usually internally) with weekly chemotherapy. After the entire treatment may sometimes need an additional surgery to do.

 

Side effects generally
The side effects of radiation therapy vary from patient to patient. Some patients experience little side effects. Other patients have more symptoms during and after treatment. Besides common side effects (skin irritation, fatigue, etc.) can have some side effects, mainly in the irradiation of the uterus.

 

Side effects: bowel symptoms
The intestine is sensitive to radiation and are therefore easily irritation occurs. During treatment can suffer from cramps and diarrhea. If you are receiving chemotherapy, can sometimes prevent constipation. These side effects are temporary. A few weeks after the irradiation has ended, the intestinal cells recovered sufficiently. You will notice that the sneezing.

Influence fertility and sexual function
Early menopause
If you are not in transition, it means the removal of the uterus that your periods stop. On removal of your ovaries will end the production of certain sex hormones. This brings you into early menopause. As with the natural transition, you may experience such "hot flashes", excessive sweating, and alternating hot and cold. The sudden loss of hormone production, we cope by hormone replacement drugs. This is done in consultation with your doctor.

Physical effects
The treatment can create a lack of sex hormones. The sentence will result in sex off. It is possible that the experience of orgasm (temporarily) more difficult or different. Besides, your vagina may be drier and more sensitive, making intercourse painful as possible. Solution provides a lubricant if necessary. If you do not have intercourse, we recommend several times a week an internal tampon use Vaseline. This is especially in the first months after the radiation treatment is important. This prevents sticking because of the vaginal walls due to radiation. Subsequent community is possible in this way. Moreover, examination of the uterus and vagina still occur.

Infertility
In the surgical treatment of cancer of the uterine body and the early stages of cervical cancer, your uterus and ovaries removed. This means that a pregnancy is no longer possible. Radiation also means that you lose your fertility.

Read more »