Asymptomatic cervical polyps: can we just let them be?

Abstract

Routine polypectomy is still practiced in many settings. The objective of this study was to establish the frequency of dysplasia or malignancy found in cervical polyps from a multiyear sample after abnormal specimens performed for indication were excluded. This is a retrospective study of the pathology results from 2006-2013, inclusive. The study included 898 polyps from 854 nonpregnant women, after the 17 abnormal specimens from women who presented with complaints of abnormal bleeding or for evaluation of abnormal cytological tests were excluded; none of the 898 specimens showed any significant abnormalities. The results did not vary by patient age or polyp size. Routine removal of cervical polyps in asymptomatic women with current, normal cervical cytology testing is unwarranted because it adds little to their management and it has the potential to cause harm.