Endocervical polyp

by Emily Goebel, MD FRCPC
March 22, 2022

What is an endocervical polyp?

An endocervical polyp is a non-cancerous growth in the cervix. It is made up of endocervical glands and stroma. This type of growth is called a polyp because it sticks out from the inner surface of the endocervical canal.

What are common symptoms of an endocervical polyp?

Symptoms of an endocervical polyp include abnormal vaginal bleeding, including after intercourse, postmenopausal bleeding, or vaginal discharge, but many patients with endocervical polyps experience no symptoms at all. Endocervical polyps are common and are often been seen by your physician at the time of cervical examination during a Pap test.

How do pathologists make the diagnosis of an endocervical polyp?

The diagnosis of endocervical polyp is made when a sample of tissue is removed and sent to a pathologist for examination under the microscope.

What does an endocervical polyp look like under the microscope?

The glands in an endocervical polyp are larger than the glands in normal cervical tissue and the blood vessels have thicker walls. Sometimes your pathologist will see both endocervical glands and endometrial glands (the type that are normally found inside the uterus) when examining your tissue under the microscope. When both types of glands are seen, the polyp is called a mixed endocervical and endometrial polyp. This type of polyp is also non-cancerous.

What are some other conditions associated with endocervical polyps?

All endocervical polyps are closely examined for other common conditions that can develop in the cervix including low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), and squamous cell carcinoma. If your pathologist sees any of these conditions in your tissue sample, they will be listed in your pathology report.