Leukoplakia of the cervix is a lesion of the mucous membrane of the organ. On its surface, outgrowths are formed, which at late stages of pathology can be identified by examination in a gynecological chair. The danger of the disease is a high risk of degeneration into cancer.
Is cervical leukoplakia cancer or not?
Seeing such a diagnosis in the doctor's conclusion, women do not always imagine what leukoplakia is. You can understand the origin of the name of the disease by trying to translate the term. In translation from Greek, "leukoplakia" is a "white plaque". Such formations can be seen on the surface of the mucous membrane of the cervix. They are a consequence of the thickening of the integument epithelium, they rise above the level of the tissue.
By its nature leukoplakia of the cervix does not belong to oncological formations. Given this fact, doctors do not refer the disease to oncology. However, there is a risk of the disease becoming cancerous. In some cases, the formation can be fixed in the cervical canal. According to statistical data, leukoplakia accounts for approximately 5% of all pathologies of the cervix.
Leukoplakia of the cervix is more likely to affect women of childbearing age, but cases of sickness in girls are also possible. Depending on the degree of mucosal damage, the structure of cells, the following types of leukoplakia are distinguished:
- simple;
- atypical.
Leukoplakia of the cervix without atypia
Often this form of pathology is considered as a background process. In some cases, doctors use another term - simple leukoplakia of the cervix. What it is - patients often do not know. This diagnosis is made when in the course of the examination on the surface of the mucous membrane of the neck there is cornification, a thickening of the epithelial layer occurs. The peculiarity is the fact that the cells of the basal and parabasal layers do not undergo changes.
Leukoplakia with atypia of cervix uteri
Having dealt with the definition of "cervical leukoplakia", what does it mean, it is necessary to tell about its particular type - an atypical form. It is characterized by such changes, when on the surface of the mucous whitish growths begin to overlap each other. As a result, the surface of the neck becomes bumpy, and the foci of leukoplakia rise above the mucous membrane. Such changes are noticeable during routine examination in a gynecological chair.
When microscopic specimen of the affected tissue, doctors detect mutated cells of the mucosa. They have a larger size, a different structure. In the absence of therapy, rapid growth of the focus as a result of cell division is observed. Whitish plaques gradually cover the entire surface of the neck, disrupting its functioning, causing a corresponding clinical picture.
What is dangerous cervical leukoplakia?
Explaining to women what constitutes cervical leukoplakia, the consequences of this disease, doctors allocate a high risk of its degeneration into cancer . In addition, lesions of the cervix can adversely affect the work of the uterus itself - often in women with a similar pathology diagnose infertility, reproductive harm. In addition, there is a high risk of infection, which is fraught with the development of inflammation in the small pelvis.
Cervical leukoplakia - causes
Trying to find out why leukoplakia of the cervix is formed, the causes of the disease, doctors initially try to exclude endogenous factors. Violation of the hormonal and immune system often affects the disruption of the functional relationship between the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland and the reproductive system. As a result, hyperplastic processes start in the genital organs.
In addition, according to the doctors, often leukoplakia of the cervix develops as a consequence of infectious and inflammatory processes:
- endometritis ;
- adnexitis ;
- salpingo-oophoritis.
Often, pathology arises as a background process with the following infections of the reproductive system:
- chlamydia ;
- mycoplasmosis;
- ureaplasmosis;
- herpes;
- human papillomavirus .
The development of leukoplakia is facilitated by traumatic lesions of the mucous membrane of the cervix:
- surgical abortion;
- scraping;
- operations on the uterus.
Symptoms of cervical leukoplakia
Specific symptoms, signs of cervical leukoplakia, according to which the disease could easily be determined, are often absent. In most cases, the disease is diagnosed by a doctor at the next preventive examination. Only in some cases there are symptoms that may indicate leukoplakia:
- increase in the volume of vaginal discharge;
- the appearance of bloody discharge from the vagina after sex;
- pain in the lower abdomen;
When an infectious agent joins a specific symptomatology appears:
- itching and burning in the vagina;
- pain during sex;
- pathological discharge from the vagina with an unpleasant odor.
Leukoplakia of the cervix - what to do?
After the discovery of leukoplakia of the cervix, treatment is required to begin immediately. Given the high risk of degeneration into cancer, doctors are advised to seek help with the first suspicions of pathology. Initially, doctors direct the treatment to eliminate the inflammatory process, if any, and other provoking factors. As for the mucous membrane itself, doctors try to influence it and exclude further spreading. Removal can be done with:
- laser;
- radio waves;
- surgical intervention.
Radio wave removal of cervical leukoplakia
Focal leukoplakia of cervix uterus can be treated with radio wave therapy. The essence of the technique is the non-contact influence on the lesion by a special electrode. The doctor enters it into the cervical canal and processes the affected tissue. As a result of heating, the liquid evaporates from the pathological cells and they are destroyed. This method has many advantages:
- painlessness;
- exclusion of damage to healthy tissues;
- absence of scars on the site of treatment after healing.
Cervical leukoplakia - laser treatment
Defining how to treat leukoplakia of the cervix in a particular case, doctors often choose laser therapy as a method. The procedure is carried out without contact in the first phase of the menstrual cycle and does not require prior anesthesia. The doctor sends a laser beam to the affected area with a special device. It completely evaporates pathological cells from the surface of the mucous membrane, while sealing up damaged blood vessels. Cauterization of cervical leukoplakia is carried out.
The possibility of bleeding after the procedure is excluded. A coagulation film is formed on the surface, which prevents infection. The advantages of the method include:
- painlessness;
- high efficiency;
- absence of scar tissue at the site of surgery;
- quick regeneration.
Leukoplakia of cervix uteri - treatment with folk remedies
The disease of leukoplakia of the cervix can not be treated with the help of folk methods. Douching, the introduction of tampons with herbs do not bring benefits, but contribute to the spread of the pathological process and the formation of atypical cells. Scientific research has proved that the medicinal herbs, infusions and decoctions used influence the metabolism in tissues, causing the proliferation of pathological cells, provoking the development of dysplasia.
Leukoplakia of cervix uteri - operation
The lack of effect from the therapy, the presence of large lesions is an indication for surgical intervention. Conization of the cervix with leukoplakia is one of the ways of surgical treatment. It involves excision of the affected tissue along the perimeter of the lesion. As a result, the doctor removes the site, in a form reminiscent of the cone - hence the name of the operation. Similar removal of leukoplakia of the cervix is carried out with extensive organ damage. In the presence of atypical cells resort to the removal of part of the uterus.