Diagnostic problems relating to uterine cervical polyps with malignancy

In order to clarify the diagnostic problems relating to, and the proper treatment of, uterine cervical polyps, 951 polyps were analyzed clinicopathologically. All polyps were examined histopathologically and divided into 2 groups: benign polyps (Group-1), and polyps with neoplastic or malignant lesions (Group-2). Polyp size and cervical cytology are not always reliable for predicting the correct diagnosis of neoplastic or malignant lesions. Colposcopic diagnostic accuracy was 56.3%, but increased to 75.0% when combined with cytology. Neoplastic or malignant lesions were found at both the cervical polyp and the cervix in 21 out of 24 Group-2 patients (87.5%). These results suggest that in order not to miss rare neoplastic or malignant lesions in polyps and/or cervices, histopathological examinations of all polyps, aided by cervical cytology and colposcopic observation, are necessary.