One of the most common female pathologies is squamous metaplasia of the cervix. Few people know what it is, therefore, upon hearing the diagnosis, many panic.
What is a disease
Squamous metaplasia cervix occurs in patients of climatic age, usually after 50 years. If squamous metaplasia of the cervix is diagnosed, what is it and how to explain it in simple language pathology for a woman? The disease is a precancerous condition. In the absence of proper treatment, an oncological malignant tumor develops. In general, metaplasia is a pathological process in which glandular epithelium what covers in in good condition the cervix is replaced by a flat one.
To make it clear what is happening inside, it must be said that the internal organs of a woman, more precisely, the uterus and its appendages, have a clear alternation of epithelium:
- closer to the vaginal canal there is flat stratified epithelium;
- the intermediate zone between the cervix and the vaginal canal is characterized by a complete absence of epithelium;
- columnar epithelium lines the uterine cavity and cervical canal.
Normally, these types of epithelium do not shift at all; there is a clear boundary between them.
Metaplasia often develops in places where there is erosion, infectious lesions, inflammatory processes and others. chronic diseases. Metaplasia, which is complicated by keratinization of cells, is especially dangerous for women if it develops in the cervical canal and the glandular epithelium is replaced by cylindrical epithelium.
In such cases, treatment should be carried out immediately to avoid dysplasia and tumor formation. On initial stages There is no need to treat metaplasia; the doctor simply monitors the course of the disease. If there are changes for the worse, drug therapy is started.
Symptoms and causes of the disease
Before prescribing treatment, doctors must not only conduct a thorough diagnosis, but also establish the reasons that led to the pathological process. If you eliminate only the visible symptoms, the disease cannot be completely cured, and after some time, signs of metaplasia will appear again.
Among the most common provocateurs of the disease are genital warts and papillomas, which are caused by the human papillomavirus. The virus may long time be in a dormant state and, when activated, provoke growths on internal organs female reproductive system. If they are left unattended, they will soon degenerate into dysplasia and cancer. It should also be noted that the herpes virus can lead to inflammation of the cervical epithelium and its replacement.
Bacteria also play an important role in the appearance of metaplasia. Among them are:
- chlamydia;
- ureaplasma;
- gonococci;
- toxoplasma.
These bacteria penetrate the nuclei of epithelial cells and change their structure, causing dysplasia.
There is a certain risk group, which includes patients who:
- smoke;
- abuse alcohol;
- have chronic diseases of the genitourinary system;
- started having sex early;
- often change sexual partners;
- have undergone surgery on the genitals;
- had abortions;
- suffer from frequent miscarriages;
- have violations hormonal levels;
- were subjected to dramatization of the organs of the genitourinary system.
The pathology itself is not accompanied by any visible symptoms, but there are a number of signs that should alert a woman and cause her to see a doctor.
Among these alarms you can note:
- pain during sexual intercourse and bleeding;
- heavy bleeding during menstruation;
- violations menstrual cycle;
- atypical vaginal discharge;
- rotten smell from the genitals;
- hormonal disorders;
- lower abdominal pain;
- general weakness and decreased performance;
- loss of appetite;
- sleep disorders;
- itching in the genital area;
- frequent urination and pain.
The first signs, as a rule, affect sexual intimacy - with active movements, the partner’s penis irritates the epithelial cells that are involved in the pathological process. There is discomfort during sexual intercourse, mild pain and blood.
Women during menopause need to be especially careful about their health. It must be said that a number of the above symptoms in women of climatic age can provoke natural changes in the body, and not bacteria and viral infections.
Diagnosis and principles of treatment of metaplasia
Taking into account the fact that in most cases the disease occurs without symptoms, diagnosis plays a huge role in the effectiveness of treatment. Each adult woman must understand the feasibility preventive examinations at the doctor's. Only with a visual examination using mirrors will the doctor be able to see changes in the normal state of the epithelium on the cervix. After this, a smear is taken with a special brush and a histological examination is performed. The smear should be taken from three zones of the cervix, that is, from the endocervix, the intermediate zone and the cervical canal itself. Each smear should contain different epithelial samples.
If a pathological process occurs, the woman is referred for simple and extended colposcopy. This diagnostic method differs from examination with mirrors in that the colposcope magnifies the image 23 times. If the examination was unproductive, curettage from the cervix may be performed. Sometimes diagnostics are carried out for the presence of TORCH infections and papillomavirus by taking blood from a vein for PCR.
Based on the results of the examination and tests, treatment begins.
Throughout the entire course of therapy, the woman must completely abstain from sexual intercourse, as the treatment will antibacterial drugs and other drugs that, in the presence of pregnancy, can cause fetal pathologies.
The attending physician will select medications on an individual basis. The first group of drugs that will be used to eliminate the pathology are antiviral in nature; Genfron and Panavir are most often used. The second group of drugs that is used for complex treatment, - antibiotics. They are used if there is a suspicion of chlamydia, ureaplasma or toxoplasma. Good effect They give the drugs Neotrizol and Terzhinan.
Metaplasia can also be treated by using local anti-inflammatory suppositories. Nutrition also shown the right products, which contain great amount vitamins
Surgery
In case of advanced disease, surgical intervention is performed. There are several methods of performing the operation:
- laser vaporization;
- cone excision;
- scraping the cervical canal;
- electrocoagulation.
The roughest method is considered to be scraping out the cervical canal; it was the very first used to treat metaplasia; it is used if there is no appropriate equipment within the clinic.
Cone excision is an operation during which the epithelium is removed in the form of a cone. The advantage of the method is the minimal risk of re-formation of metaplasia. After the operation, the biomaterial is sent for histological examination to determine the presence of atypical cells that can cause cancer.
Electrocoagulation is the application of electric current to the affected area, during which the charge can coagulate protein and destroy dysplastic cells. Laser coagulation- most new method treatment and the most gentle. Already half an hour after the operation, the woman can go home.
After surgery, doctors recommend douching medicinal herbs, pine buds and propolis. This will speed up the regeneration of normal epithelial cells and, accordingly, will restore the woman’s body faster.
The choice of treatment method is a purely individual process, which is determined taking into account many factors. In general, the prognosis for a complete cure is quite high; the main thing is to seek help in a timely manner and follow all the doctor’s recommendations.
Informative video
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More than 80% of women of reproductive age suffer from cervical pathologies. However, pathology is different from pathology. Some may not pose a threat to a woman’s life, while others inevitably lead to cancer. This article will discuss cervical metaplasia. Let's talk about how dangerous this disease is and how to cure it.
What is cervical metaplasia?
The very concept of metaplasia implies changes in the cells of the cervix, which lead to pathology. Simply put, cervical metaplasia is a precancerous condition. If you do not urgently treat this pathology, then in almost 100% of cases it will develop into cancer.
This disease most often occurs in patients who have reached the age of fifty. Metaplasia is very rare in young girls. On late stage This disease is quite difficult to cure; it is easier to eliminate it in its infancy. This is why all women undergoing menopause are advised to regularly visit a gynecologist.
Let's discuss in detail all the nuances of cervical metaplasia, so that when faced with it, we have a complete understanding and plan of action. See below for a photo of this pathology.
Reasons for the development of the disease
Most possible reasons the formation of cervical metaplasia are viruses and bacteria that live in genitourinary system women. The most dangerous is the oncogenic type papillomavirus. After all, it is the one that precedes cancer formations.
In addition to this virus, other infections also cause cervical metaplasia:
- herpes;
- chlamydia;
- ureaplasma;
- gonococci;
- toxoplasma.
By themselves, they do not cause changes in cells, but their long-term presence in the body will lead to a chronic inflammatory process. And it, in turn, will cause changes in the cells of the cervix, which will lead to oncology.
Indeed, everything in our body is interconnected. Without noticing a minor problem, you can lead to incurable consequences. How important it is to do everything on time!
Risk factors
There is a group of patients who are at risk of developing cervical metaplasia. These are patients who are predisposed to cancer. What can indirectly contribute to the development of such a pathology. There are two groups.
General factors. These include things that weaken the immune system and cause changes in the body.
- Smoking tobacco;
- alcohol abuse;
- poor environmental living conditions;
- constant work in hazardous industries;
- food containing carcinogens.
Local factors. These are the factors that are inherent specific organism and its changes. For example:
- Hormonal imbalance;
- mechanical damage to the genital organs;
- constant inflammation;
- frequent abortions;
- promiscuity.
All these reasons are not capable of independently causing cervical metaplasia. However, having additional diseases, together all these factors can contribute to the development of pathology.
Symptoms
The main danger of cervical metaplasia is that it often occurs without any clinical manifestations. The woman is not worried about anything, so she will not go to the doctor. But in fact, she began to develop pathological processes in the cells of the cervix. If left unnoticed, they will develop into dysplasia and then into cancer. Be sure to visit your gynecologist once a year and get screened for metaplasia.
Still sometimes this pathology makes itself felt. Symptoms usually appear as a combination with another pathology. For example, cervical metaplasia often accompanies the following diseases:
- erosion;
- papilloma;
- condyloma;
- infection.
With such concomitant problems, the patient experiences the following problems:
- failure of the menstrual cycle (too long or too short intervals);
- constant pain during sex (this is caused by the fact that the integrity of the epithelial coating is damaged);
- discharge (cheesy, brown, milky, bloody);
- changes in hormonal levels (sharp increase or decrease in body weight, rash).
Women going through menopause often attribute these symptoms to menopause. They believe that all this should happen during menopause and therefore do not go to the doctor. However, this is not correct.
Forms of the disease
The disease has three forms. They do not in any way affect the process of the disease, but they have different forecast to recovery. Another point that led to the division of metaplasia into types is that the epithelium in the cervix has different types.
- Immature metaplasia of the cervix. This form is the least favorable for the patient's health. It is very difficult to attribute these pathological cells to a specific type of epithelium. In the smear, the doctor observes pathological cells that are small in size and randomly located in the epithelium. The cytoplasm of the cervical cells is disrupted.
- Squamous metaplasia of the cervix with dyskaryosis. Dyskaryosis is a phenomenon of abnormal division in the nucleus in the form of mitoses. This type is more differentiated compared to immature metaplasia.
- Squamous metaplasia of the cervix. The epithelium has the characteristics of a normal cell. Only the arrangement of the cells is abnormal. Problem cells are located in the cervical canal area.
Diagnostics
The main thing in examining a woman for metaplasia is the correct work gynecological smear. IN smear epidermal cells are located. If the material is not collected in full, it will be impossible to track the development of pathology. For what reasons is the material for analysis considered inferior?
- Negligence when collecting material;
- The cervix is difficult to see in the mirror;
- All conditions for collecting material for examination for metaplasia have not been met;
- The smear was taken thin or thick;
- The material is not colored enough for research;
- Presence of blood in the smear;
- The smear is poorly distributed on the laboratory glass;
- There are foreign substances in the smear (lubricant, sperm, gel, cream, etc.)
In addition to the smear, you should carry out additional methods diagnostics
Colposcopy. This is an examination of the cervix using a special magnifying colposcope. The cervix is preliminarily stained with a solution, which allows visualization of damaged areas of the cervix. With help this method diagnostics, it is possible to detect cervical metaplasia, even if it was not visible during examination on the mirror.
Scraping. The uterine cavity is scraped to examine its contents for the presence of atypical cells.
Treatment
This disease is treated by two methods. First apply conservative treatment drugs, and then, if it does not bring results, they begin surgery. Let's start looking at the treatment regimens in order.
Conservative method. It includes treatment with medications. These drugs will be aimed at eliminating the cause that caused the metaplasia. Since this is the main reason why viral etiology, then the treatment will be aimed at eliminating viruses and bacteria. If metaplasia is caused by human papillomavirus, then active drugs are Panavir and Genferon.
Panavir Available in the form of suppositories, tablets and injection solutions. The usual regimen for taking suppositories is 1 suppository twice a day. Reception time is 30 days. The course can be repeated in a month. The cream is applied to the external genitalia twice a day for two weeks.
Genferon. 1 suppository in the vagina twice a day for 10 days. The course can be repeated in a month.
If metaplasia is caused by bacteria in the vagina, then a course is prescribed antibacterial therapy. Several drugs are effective.
Terzhinan. Suppositories are inserted into the vagina once a day for 10 days. These drugs eliminate itching and other associated unpleasant manifestations of metaplasia. After passing the tests, the course can be repeated.
Neotrizol. These are suppositories that need to be inserted into the vagina at night. The course of treatment is about 8 days. If after eight days the unpleasant symptoms do not go away, then the course should be continued.
Surgical method of treatment. If metaplasia has reached heavy level, and conservative treatment has not yielded results, then they resort to surgical method treatment. It includes:
- Canal curettage is a rather crude method of treatment. It is used when other methods are not available.
- Cone cutting is cutting off a piece of the cervix with the affected area. The advantage is complete removal affected area. However, the method is still invasive.
- Electrocoagulation is the effect of non-metaplasia with electric current.
- Laser therapy – pathological cells are evaporated by laser.
Prevention
The main thing is to exclude factors that may affect the process of metaplasia development. And this:
- Smoking and drinking;
- Binge eating;
- Use of GMO products in food;
- Unsanitary conditions in caring for the genitals.
Not standard method prevention is vaccination against cervical cancer. The question of whether to take it should be decided by a woman individually with her doctor.
So, cervical metaplasia has a positive prognosis for treatment if it is noticed in time and treatment is started in a timely manner. The main thing is to prevent the development of cancer.
←Previous article Next article →Squamous metaplasia of the cervix is a condition in which the properties of tissues change, acquiring characteristics of another tissue within the same histotype. By clinical classification this condition refers to benign processes.
Pathogenesis
Metaplasia develops over a long period of time. Single-layer cervical cells are predominantly replaced by multilayer flat ones.
U healthy woman in the cervix there are two types of epithelium: flat multilayered, covering the ectocervis, and prismatic (cylindrical), lining the endocervical canal. Between them there is an intermediate zone, which is characterized by complete absence epithelium.
Under the influence of some triggering factor, for example, a virus, a layer of flat epithelial cells forms under the layer of prismatic epithelium. Gradually it grows, replacing upper layer cylindrical fabric. This phenomenon is called metaplasia.
Causes
Metaplasia of the uterine epithelium may have different reasons. Infections are considered the most likely. Among them:
- Viruses – herpes (highly oncogenic), human papilloma (causes dysplastic processes).
- Bacteria – chlamydia, toxoplasma, gonococcus, ureplasma. They are not in themselves the cause of the development of metaplasia, however, they linger inside for a long time, maintaining inflammatory process.
Most often, the disease affects women who have crossed the 50-year mark, but its diagnosis in young women is not excluded.
Predisposing factors
Risk factors – general and local – play an important role in the development of pathology. The first include bad habits (tobacco, alcohol), poor environmental conditions, working in hazardous industries, and eating food containing carcinogens. All this weakens the immune system and causes morpho-functional changes in the body.
Local risk factors for metaplasia of the uterine epithelium include hormonal disorders, injuries, inflammatory processes in the pelvic organs, operations and abortions, and promiscuous sex life.
Clinical manifestations
Cervical metaplasia in itself is not malignant process and is not even considered a precancerous disease. But this state cannot be called positive either. The diagnosis requires monitoring the woman and determining the cause, as it indicates the occurrence of a chronic pathological process in the body. In addition, it is possible that metaplasia will transform first into cervical dysplasia, and subsequently into cancer.
The main danger of squamous cell metaplasia is that it for a long time is asymptomatic. This is why it is important to regularly screen for the disease.
Symptoms most often appear with some concomitant pathology. For example, if squamous metaplasia is accompanied by erosions, condylomas, papillomas, infectious processes. The following nonspecific symptoms should alert a woman:
- Menstrual cycle disorders (increase or decrease in duration, too heavy or scanty bleeding, delays).
- Pain during intimacy.
- Vaginal discharge.
- Hormonal imbalances.
The discharge has a different character: milky, cheesy, brown with pungent odor. Pain during sex is caused by a violation of integrity atypical epithelium. At the end of sexual intercourse, bloody discharge is possible.
Older women often attribute the above symptoms to menopause and do not consult a doctor. This is not surprising, given the non-specific clinical picture. That is why the appearance of the above symptoms requires consultation with a specialist.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of metaplasia is carried out by histological examination of a vaginal smear. The doctor takes it during a routine examination of the patient or when treating alarming symptoms. If the results of the analysis reveal deviations from the norm, the woman is referred to additional diagnostics which includes:
- Colposcopy is an examination of the cervix with a special instrument.
- Targeted biopsy under colposcopy control.
- Diagnostic curettage – curettage of the uterine cavity.
It is important to differentiate metaplasia of the uterine epithelium from other pathologies: erosions, polyps, condylomas, leukoplakias, malignant lesions, etc.
Treatment
After a diagnosis of squamous metaplasia of the cervix is made, the patient is sent for treatment. It is important to note that treatment for the disease should be started without delay, following all the recommendations of the attending physician. Otherwise, malignancy, i.e., malignant lesion of the cervix, cannot be ruled out. Treatment of metaplasia depends on the extent of the process. At the initial stage they use conservative therapy, if it is neglected, they resort to surgical intervention.
Conservative therapy
Involves the use of a complex of medications. If a woman is diagnosed with human papillomavirus, the most probable cause metaplasia, prescribed antiviral therapy. The most common drugs for neutralizing HPV are Panavir and Genferon. They neutralize the effect of the virus by affecting nucleic acid, interfere with the process of division of viral particles.
If bacteria are found in the smear, it is indicated antibacterial treatment. Preference is given to complex medications: Terzhinan or Neotrizol. The drugs are used in courses, between which a histological examination is carried out.
To eliminate the inflammatory process, anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed vaginal suppositories, and to strengthen the immune system - immunomodulators.
Surgical treatment
The operation is indicated for moderate and severe degrees of metaplasia of the uterine epithelium. At these stages, conservative treatment, as a rule, does not bring positive results. In addition, malignancy cannot be excluded during treatment. To methods surgical treatment relate:
- Scraping the cervical canal is the most “rough” method, which is used in cases where other methods of surgery are impossible for one reason or another.
- Cone excision – cutting off a conical section of the epithelium, the size of which depends on the depth of the lesion. The advantage of the method is complete excision of pathological tissue. However, this method is still invasive and traumatic in comparison with other modern techniques.
- Electrocoagulation is the neutralization of dysplastic cells using electric current.
- Laser vaporization – under the influence of laser energy, pathological cells are heated and necrotic.
The last two methods are minimally invasive and therefore preferable. If the technical equipment of the clinic and the nature of the lesion allow it, doctors prescribe them.
Prevention
Prevention of squamous metaplasia of the uterine epithelium consists primarily in eliminating predisposing factors. This:
- Quitting tobacco and alcohol.
- Balanced diet.
- Refusal to work in hazardous enterprises.
- Sexual hygiene.
There are also specific prevention diseases - HPV vaccination. It not only minimizes the likelihood of developing metaplasia, but also prevents the development of cervical cancer. It has been proven that the main etiological factor malignant lesion of this organ is infection with oncogenic strains of the papilloma virus. Vaccination is given to adolescents who have not had sexual contact and provides protection against HPV for several years.
Forecasts
Cervical metaplasia is a disease that has a favorable prognosis, subject to timely diagnosis and treatment. If left untreated, the consequences can be disastrous, as the tendency for malignancy is high.
Metaplasia is the pathological structural transformation of one type of tissue into another. This is the cause of morphological and various functional changes.
Metaplasia is classified into the following types:
- direct, when physiological transformation of tissue occurs,
- indirect, in which pathological cell regeneration is noted.
An example of the direct form is the ossification of cartilage, the transformation of the mucous tissue of the uterus during menstruation or pregnancy. During indirect, the ciliated epithelium of the bronchi is transformed into a pathological multilayered squamous epithelium.
Metaplasia is characterized by a persistent transformation of one type of tissue into its transformation into a tissue of a different type. Pathology can affect only the epithelium or various connective tissues. An example of epithelial metaplasia is the transformation of columnar epithelium of mucous tissues respiratory tract, gastrointestinal organs, uterus and so on in a multilayer squamous epithelium, disrupting the functions of these organs and systems.
Metaplasia connective tissue most often manifests itself as transformation into fat, bone or cartilage.
In children, the most common metaplasia of the esophagus is the so-called Barrett's esophagus. In pregnant and lactating women, the metaplastic process affects the cervix, intestines and other organs.
Causes
The development of metaplasia is influenced by many factors. More often pathological condition develops against the background of a chronic inflammatory process. This condition occurs, for example, in the columnar epithelium of the bronchi and uterine tissue during erosive processes. The reason for the transformation of the tissues of the conjunctiva of the eyes can be hypovitaminosis; fluctuations in hormonal levels can cause metaplasia of the uterine mucosa, transforming it into a multilayered flat one.
Metaplasia of uterine tissue is usually caused by chronic inflammatory processes provoked by infection. The causative agents of infection can be both viruses and bacteria. The development of pathology can be caused by human papillomavirus, herpes virus, etc. Bacterial infection is caused by chlamydia, ureoplasma, gonococcus or toxoplasma.
The development of metaplasia of uterine tissue can be influenced by many factors, but the main cause is still HPV - human papillomavirus.
TO external factors, contributing to the development of metaplasia include:
- bad habits - alcohol abuse and smoking,
- poor quality food,
- bad ecology,
- frequent change of sexual partners,
- chronic infectious diseases of the reproductive system,
- surgical interventions - abortions, diagnostic curettages.
Symptoms
Pathological changes in tissue can be asymptomatic for a long time. Reveal structural changes can happen by accident during a routine gynecological examination.
Metaplasia usually develops even before pregnancy, since the process of tissue replacement takes quite a long time.
The first signs that should alert a pregnant woman are:
- pain during sexual intercourse,
- unusual vaginal discharge white and cheesy character with a fetid odor,
- bloody issues.
Sometimes there may be nagging pain in the abdomen, which indicate development pathological processes in organism.
In metaplasia plays an important role early diagnosis, since pathology is precancerous condition and can develop into a malignant formation. Therefore, it is very important to consult a doctor when the first symptoms appear for examination.
Diagnosis of metaplasia in pregnant women
Since metaplasia develops asymptomatically, the expectant mother needs to undergo gynecological examinations still at the pregnancy planning stage.
Before diagnosing metaplasia in expectant mother the doctor needs to collect an anamnesis of the disease, examine using gynecological speculum and conduct lab tests. A mandatory diagnostic step is taking a smear for histological examination.
If metaplasia is suspected, a colposcopy is performed to determine the extent of tissue damage.
Early diagnosis and timely treatment will avoid a number of problems, including complications during pregnancy and the development of cancer.
Complications
Metaplasia is dangerous because it develops asymptomatically and is a precancerous condition. Pathology violates physiological function tissue, causing malfunctions different systems body.
Complications of metaplasia are malignant tumor processes Therefore, it is very important to identify the pathology in time and begin its treatment.
Metaplasia during pregnancy can lead to complications such as spontaneous abortion, the development of pathologies in the fetus, premature or complicated birth.
Treatment
What can you do
If metaplasia is diagnosed, treatment must be started immediately. Since metaplasia is a precancerous condition, there is a high risk of malignancy of the disease. Under no circumstances should treatment be ignored. This can cause a number of complications that will require more complex and lengthy therapy.
What does a doctor do
Treatment of metaplasia requires integrated approach. For example, treatment of metaplasia of uterine tissue is carried out both medically and surgically.
Treatment tactics with drugs depend on the etiology of the disease. If the disease is caused by the human papillomavirus, the doctor prescribes antiviral drugs. If the disease is bacterial in nature, antibiotic therapy is performed. For the treatment of metaplasia during pregnancy is prescribed complex preparations- antibiotic and corticosteroid. In addition, therapy is carried out aimed at relieving symptoms - vaginal suppositories and immunomodulators.
At severe course disease and a high risk of developing oncology, surgical intervention can be performed - laser vaporization, curettage of the cervical canal, cone excision, electrocoagulation.
Prevention
To prevent the development of metaplasia, you must adhere to the following recommendations:
- lead healthy image life,
- turn out to be from bad habits- alcohol and smoking,
- eat a balanced diet,
- take measures to strengthen the immune system,
- observe the rules of personal hygiene,
- cure infectious diseases,
- undergo regular gynecological examinations.
About 30% of women of childbearing age are diagnosed with cervical metaplasia. The danger of this disease is that when untimely treatment benign education may degenerate into malignant. You can exclude a complication by regularly visiting a gynecologist and doing screening, which includes a cytological examination of the uterus and colposcopy. The earlier the problem is detected, the higher the likelihood of complete recovery and the lower the risk of developing a tumor.
Epithelium of the cervix in healthy condition has the following structure. Near the vaginal canal there is a flat stratified epithelium. In the immediate vicinity of the uterus there is the next layer - the intermediate zone. The entire uterine cavity and cervical canal are lined with columnar epithelium. Normally, these layers do not mix with each other; a clear boundary between them is clearly visible.
The development of metaplasia begins with the penetration of pathogenic bacteria or a virus into the cervix. The integrity of the nuclear membranes is disrupted, the process of chaotic cell division begins, and the first epithelial cells with an atypical nucleus appear. At this state protein synthesis in the body is disrupted and.
The boundary between the layers of the epithelium is erased, as one type of tissue is replaced by another. At the same time, the histotype remains the same. For example, stratified squamous epithelium (MSE) replaces intermediate zone cells. Stem (reserve) cells are activated, adapting to one or another histological type. New tissues are weakened and located to any harmful factors microenvironment.
In such an environment, the processes of growth of malignant tumors intensify, often affecting weakened tissues of reduced differentiation. The disease is asymptomatic. And many women become aware of the problem when they are diagnosed with cancer. That is why it is worth choosing “your” gynecologist, with whom you have established a trusting contact, and regularly visit him, passing everything necessary tests. This will prevent complications associated with women's health.
IMPORTANT! Metaplasia is not always dangerous. In fact, the process of replacing some cells with others is normal and is a way of adapting the body to certain microenvironmental conditions. The woman’s condition should be monitored and attention should be paid in time to the development of changes in the uterine epithelium.
The most common cause of changes in the epithelium is the human papillomavirus. The virus tropes in the body, causing. In addition to papillomavirus, the cause of the disease is bacterial infections, which cause ureaplasmosis and chlamydia, also often become an impetus for the formation of metaplasia. There are other reasons that provoke disruption of the structure of the epithelium. In Group increased risk there are women:
- who have been diagnosed with hormonal changes;
- there are inflammations of various etiologies;
- in contact with harmful chemicals, for example, those working in hazardous industries;
- taking contraceptives and others medications without specialist supervision;
- having chronic diseases of the reproductive system;
- violating the rules of personal hygiene;
- patients with injuries (including those with a history of frequent births, miscarriages, abortions).
Hereditary factors play a role. A woman whose risk of getting sick is increased. Smoking, alcohol abuse and taking drugs - such habits often lead to pathological changes in the epithelium and other precancerous diseases. Promiscuity should also be considered a cause of serious disruptions in the reproductive system.
Symptoms of metaplasia
A woman's body is under the influence negative factors quickly adapts to the situation, and the disease can be asymptomatic. But there are some changes in the body that may indicate that benign process launched. For example:
- Painful sensations during sexual intercourse due to the fact that epithelial dysplasia leads to injuries and bleeding. Don’t be embarrassed to tell your doctor about such “intimate” symptoms, as well as other signs of women’s health problems.
- Significantly intensified vaginal discharge, their shade becomes milky, and their consistency becomes curdled. In fact, this condition can be confused with a banal thrush.
- Erosion, infectious diseases, condylomas can indicate progressive metaplasia, and also warn of the possibility of its development in the near future.
- , indicating that inflammation has begun in the body.
These symptoms may indicate infectious disease, inflammation, problems with reproductive system women. You should not self-medicate, but visit as soon as possible antenatal clinic for a qualified inspection by a specialist.
ATTENTION! At the first symptoms of metaplasia, you should consult a doctor. It is possible that a polyp or harmless condyloma that does not bother a woman at all are harbingers of a precancerous change in the cervix. Timely diagnosis allows you to identify the problem at the initial stage, and sometimes helps prevent the development of malignant formation.
You should not diagnose yourself, for example, by asking questions on a women's forum. The first and mandatory point in diagnosing metaplasia is examination of the cervix using vaginal speculum to determine the size of the epithelial lesion. It is necessary and, which makes it possible to see any pathological changes in the structure of the epithelium, and also allows you to perform a targeted biopsy to examine the area of the cervix that causes concern. Histology helps determine the stage of the disease and provide the patient with timely medical care.
Types of metaplasia of the cervical epithelium
The form of the disease is determined by screening. This study– the basis for a correct and, at the same time, timely diagnosis. Metaplasia is divided into: immature, squamous and squamous combined with dyskaryosis. The type of epithelial change does not affect the course of the disease, but plays a leading role in its treatment.
Immature metaplasia is considered the most difficult option to diagnose. This is due to the fact that the level of cell differentiation is low, and the risk of malignancy is extremely high. At cytological examination The smear reveals small cells with unclear and different shaped boundaries. The cells themselves in the smear are located quite chaotically.
When researching internal structure cells is determined by a change in the cytoplasm, a violation of the structure and location of all of it structural elements. Due to low differentiation, it is difficult to determine which type of epithelium the studied cervical epithelial cells belong to.
The next type of metaplasia is squamous cell. At this option the epithelium is practically no different from a healthy organ. The only thing that indicates the degree and type of violation of its structure is its abnormal location. Stratified epithelium, which is normally located near the vaginal canal, appears behind the intermediate zone, alternating with areas of columnar epithelium.
The most differentiated type of metaplasia is squamous metaplasia with dyskaryosis. This form is mature, that is, the cells have a certain shape, the cytoplasm inside is not changed, the structure is correct. The cells are the same size, which is not typical for immature forms of metaplasia. The only factor that allows one to distinguish pathological reserve cells from healthy ones is abnormal division in the nucleus of pathological mitoses (dyskaryosis).
Diagnosis of immature or squamous metaplasia made on early stage disease, sometimes does not require medical intervention. A woman is strongly recommended to undergo regular examinations with a gynecologist, take all tests prescribed by a specialist, and also eliminate the causes that contribute to the development of this disease. For example, quit smoking and cure papillomatosis.
The decision on how exactly the treatment will take place is made by the doctor based on diagnostic studies. If the disease is viral in nature, for example, it is caused by HPV, then drugs that suppress the activity of viruses and block their further reproduction are used for treatment. If, during examination of the mucous membrane, bacteria are found in the smear, then antibiotics are prescribed and antifungal agents. Squamous metaplasia involves treatment with immunity-boosting drugs. Vaginal suppositories that stop the inflammatory process are also prescribed.
Decision on surgical intervention taken by a doctor in cases where conservative treatment has not given the desired results. The method is selected based on the form of the pathology and the characteristics of its course. Several treatment methods are currently in use. These are: electrocoagulation, cone exposure, . One of the widely used and effective ways treatment - curettage of the cervix. Prevention, which allows you to prevent or diagnose the disorder in time, consists of regular visits to the gynecologist and.
Conclusion
Cervical metaplasia is not a death sentence. The disease, regardless of what stage of metaplasia is diagnosed, can and should be fought. Modern methods diagnostics and treatment make it possible to stop the process of changes in epithelial tissue and prevent malignant formation.
Have you been diagnosed with metaplasia and want to know more about the problem? Write a comment with your questions and suggestions on the topic. Do you want to warn your loved ones about the dangers posed by the disease? Share this article on in social networks and on the forums.
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