Endometrial polyps (or uterine polyps) are growths are attached to the lining of the uterus (endometrial lining). They can occur alone or in multiples. They vary in size from less than a centimetre to few centimetres or even larger. Majority of polyps are non-cancerous, although some can be pre-cancerous or cancerous.
Some women have no symptoms.
Many women with endometrial polyps have no risk factors.
Polyps can be suspected on detailed medical history. A transvaginal pelvic ultrasound that is done just after your period is over can show the presence of polyp(s) within the uterine cavity, although smaller polyps that are less than 1cm can be hard to pick up. Another way is hysteroscopy, where a small camera is inserted through the cervix into the uterus for direct visualisation. Polyp fragments can sometimes be picked on up endometrial biopsy, where a small straw is inserted through the cervix into the uterus to biopsy some cells for testing.
Polyps that are small and do not cause symptoms may sometimes be observed. The recommended treatment for endometrial polyps is hysteroscopy polypectomy, where special instruments are inserted through a hysteroscope to cut and remove polyps. This is most commonly done under general anaesthesia together with a dilation and curettage (D&C) to clear out the rest of the endometrial lining. These will be sent to the lab to check if they are non-cancerous or cancerous.
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