Polyp??

Hi my friends,

I went for my Hysterosonogram today. I was told that all looked good, except that he did see a very, very, very small (mininscule) polyp. He was not concerned and told me I should try again right away.

When I called my Dr. with the results, he, not having seen the report, said to wait to he gets the report to decide what to do about the polyp and whether or not it needs to be removed.

I wanted to try again this month and this is the week!! As a matter of fact, the dr. told me today that I will be ovulating very soon, he could tell. Anyway, can anyone fill me in on polyps and what they are about. My DH is scared it could turn into cancer...

Thanks,
Denise

I do not know too much about them but I got this off webmd.com

Cervical Polyps

Topic Overview


What are cervical polyps?
Cervical polyps are small, smooth, red, fingerlike growths in the passage extending from the uterus to the vagina (cervical canal).

What causes cervical polyps?
The cause of cervical polyps is not entirely understood. They are frequently the result of infection. They can also result from long-term (chronic) inflammation, an abnormal response to an increase in estrogen levels, or congestion of blood vessels in the cervical canal.

What are the symptoms?
The most common symptom a woman will notice is abnormal vaginal bleeding that occurs:

Between menstrual periods.
After menopause.
After sexual intercourse.
After douching.

off the same website:

Unwanted Growths

What are polyps and how are they removed?

By Laurie Green, MD
Reviewed By

March 6, 2000 (San Francisco) -- Probably not. The term 'polyp' describes a protruding growth of tissue that's usually anchored by a thin stem. Polyps often grow from mucous membranes in such areas as the inside of the nose, throat, colon, gall bladder, or reproductive organs. Although the cause of many polyps is unclear, polyps like your daughter's tend to result from an excessive accumulation of tissue in the cervix or uterus.

Female reproductive-tract polyps often have no symptoms, although they can cause bleeding, abnormal discharge between periods, or pain. Unlike colon polyps, which are often precursors to colon cancer, vaginal polyps are typically benign, or noncancerous. All the same, your daughter's ob-gyn may recommend that a biopsy (screening for cancer) be done on the polyp once it's removed to ensure that it's not malignant.

Since many polyps grow on thin stems of tissue, they are easily cut or twisted off. The usual removal procedures do not take long and can be performed on an outpatient basis. For removal of vaginal or cervical polyps, a physician will dilate the vagina with a speculum and administer a local anesthetic to numb the area where the polyp is located. The physician will then use a surgical tool to cut the polyp off at its base. A patient may experience slight cramping or minor bleeding afterward. For uterine polyps, your physician will probably perform a surgical procedure called a D&C (dilatation and curettage), in which the vagina is dilated and both the entire uterine lining and any polyps are scraped off with an instrument called a curette.

Chemicals used to freeze tissue growths or laser surgery can also be used to disintegrate polyps or cause tissue death in them. These last two methods, however, will completely destroy a growth, so a biopsy cannot be done. As a result, these procedures should be performed only if the polyp is unquestionably benign. Since it's important to rule out the possibility of cancer when faced with any growth in the reproductive tract, be sure to discuss this issue with your doctor before deciding on a treatment option.

Unfortunately, polyps can recur and additional surgeries may be necessary. In extreme cases in which polyps continue to grow and cause excessive pain or bleeding, a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) may be recommended.

Laurie Green, MD, is a founding partner of the Pacific Women?s Obstetrics and Gynecology Medical Group. She is a clinical instructor at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of California, San Francisco, and has appeared on many television shows advocating women?s health.