Pathological manifestations of cervical erosion

Cervical erosion can be said to be the most common gynecological disease in women. If it is discovered and treated actively as early as possible, the disease can be cured quickly. However, many women have bad living habits in their lives and do not realize the seriousness of cervical erosion. In the end, cervical erosion may even affect their fertility. Therefore, every female friend must not ignore the prevention of this disease.

Cervical erosion is the most common pathological change of chronic cervicitis. The cervical vaginal area at the external os of the cervix appears as a fine granular red area, which is called cervical erosion. The erosion surface is covered by a complete single layer of columnar epithelium of the cervical canal. Because the columnar epithelium is thin and the underlying stroma is red, it is not true erosion. True erosive pathology refers to epithelial exfoliative ulcers.

The term cervical erosion has been abandoned in foreign countries and replaced by cervical columnar epithelial ectopia (columnarectopy). Since cervical erosion has been used in my country for many years, this book still uses this term. Because the resistance of the columnar epithelium of the cervical canal is low, pathogens can easily invade and cause inflammation. The mechanism of cervical erosion remains unclear. It is worth noting that in some physiological conditions such as adolescence, pregnancy or women taking oral contraceptives, due to increased estrogen levels, the columnar epithelium of the cervical canal proliferates, and the original squamous-columnar junction moves outward. The external os of the cervix may appear red, granular, and erosive, which is physiological cervical erosion. When estrogen levels drop, the columnar epithelium can retreat back into the cervical canal.

Cervical erosion is divided into three types according to the depth of erosion: in the early stage of inflammation, the erosion surface is only covered by a single layer of columnar epithelium, and the surface is flat, which is called simple erosion; subsequently, due to excessive proliferation of glandular epithelium accompanied by stromal hyperplasia, the erosion surface is uneven and granular, which is called granular erosion; when the stromal hyperplasia is significant, the surface unevenness is more obvious and papillary, which is called papillary erosion. Cervical erosion can be divided into three degrees according to the size of the erosion area: mild refers to the erosion surface being less than 1/3 of the entire cervical area; moderate refers to the erosion surface occupying 1/3 to 2/3 of the entire cervical area; severe refers to the erosion surface occupying more than 2/3 of the entire cervical area (Figure 27-1). The diagnosis of cervical erosion should indicate both the area and depth of the erosion. For example, the diagnosis is moderate erosive, papillary type.

After understanding the pathological factors analysis of cervical erosion, female friends should be vigilant, because whether it is cervical erosion or other gynecological inflammations, it is a physical and mental torture for oneself and a family. Only by reminding yourself in life and taking precautions can you reduce the harm.