Squamous metaplasia is a benign non-cancerous change (metaplasia) of surfacing lining cells (epithelium) to a squamous morphology.
What is squamous metaplasia of the cervix?
Squamous metaplasia in the cervix refers to the physiological replacement of the everted columnar epithelium on the ectocervix by a newly formed squamous epithelium from the subcolumnar reserve cells. The region of the cervix where squamous metaplasia occurs is referred to as the transformation zone.
How is squamous metaplasia treated?
Conclusion: The therapeutic management of keratinizing squamous metaplasia is controversial, and currently no effective medical therapy is available for its treatment. Actually, patients undergo transurethral resections and a multidisciplinary approach is required to avoid cystectomy.
What does squamous metaplasia on a Pap smear mean?
Squamous Metaplasia. The most common protective mechanism of the endocervical epithelium of the uterine cervix is squamous metaplasia. The term metaplasia implies the transformation of one cell type into another type of cell, the latter being of a lower organizational order.
Is squamous metaplasia benign?
Squamous metaplasia is a well-known benign mimic of HPV-related HSILs.
Is metaplasia benign or malignant?
When cells are faced with physiological or pathological stresses, they respond by adapting in any of several ways, one of which is metaplasia. It is a benign (i.e. non-cancerous) change that occurs as a response to change of milieu (physiological metaplasia) or chronic physical or chemical irritation.
What causes endocervical metaplasia?
During puberty and at the first pregnancy the cervix increases in volume in response to hormonal changes. The endocervical epithelium everts onto the ectocervix (portio vaginalis) exposing it to the acid pH of the vagina. This provides a stimulus for metaplastic change of the columnar epithelium.
What does endocervical and/or squamous metaplastic cells endocervical component are present mean?
Current guidelines state, “The presence of squamous cells, endocervical cells and/or metaplastic cells on a smear suggests a high probability that the transformation zone has been sampled, which is necessary for a cervical smear to be considered optimal.” The guidelines continue: “The absence of a transformation zone …
What does endocervical and squamous metaplastic cells mean?
Endocervical cells present. This phrase means that cells from the inside of your cervical canal were sampled at the time of the pap test, which is something your doctor tries to do. … Squamous metaplastic cells present. Here the pathologist noted cells that were growing or repairing themselves, which is a normal process.
Is squamous metaplasia painful?
The causes of pain in squamous metaplasia of the bladder are unknown. The pain is usually attributed to the disruption of the layer of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs, compounds of composite structure, having a negative charge) covering the urothelium.
Is squamous metaplasia reversible?
Metaplasia: the exchange of normal epithelium for another type of epithelium. Metaplasia is reversible when the stimulus for it is taken away.
What is a metaplasia?
Metaplasia is the replacement of one differentiated somatic cell type with another differentiated somatic cell type in the same tissue. Typically, metaplasia is triggered by environmental stimuli, which may act in concert with the deleterious effects of microorganisms and inflammation.
What does benign endocervical tissue mean?
Endocervical polyps (ECPs) are routine and common specimens in gynecologic pathology. Microscopically, these benign proliferations show a fibrovascular stalk and endocervical glands, and are on occasion accompanied by squamous metaplasia, chronic inflammation, or ulceration if irritated.
Does HPV cause squamous metaplasia?
It is well known that the cervical epithelium infected with HPV develops intraepithelial neoplasia. Most of the intraepithelial neoplasia of the cervix occurs in the transitional zone, which is thought to be composed of squamous metaplastic cells.
What does endocervical mean?
Listen to pronunciation. (EN-doh-SER-vix) The inner part of the cervix that forms a canal that connects the vagina to the uterus. The endocervix is lined with cells that make mucus.
What is extensive squamous metaplasia?
The term ‘morulosis’ indicates extensive squamous mulberry-like metaplasia, which in a large part or nearly entirely affects endometrium, whereas in turn, benign squamous metaplasia or single morules, refers to a limited, usually small regional pathology of endometrium.
How is metaplasia different from dysplasia?
Dysplasia is the presence of abnormal cells within your tissue or one of your organs. Metaplasia is the conversion of one type of cell to another. Any of your normal cells may become cancer cells.
Is cervical metaplasia precancerous?
Process of Cervical Changes The Pap test is taken from this area because this where dysplasia (pre-cancer) and cancer most often arise. Two common changes in cells are metaplasia and dysplasia. Metaplasia – Metaplasia is generally described as a process of cell growth or cell repair that is benign (not cancerous).
How is metaplasia treated?
After confirming a diagnosis of intestinal metaplasia, the doctor can begin treatment. Currently, the most effective treatment is to remove the H.pylori infection completely. This removal is done in combination with the use of antioxidant agents.
Are adenomas always benign?
Adenomas are generally benign or non cancerous but carry the potential to become adenocarcinomas which are malignant or cancerous. As benign growths they can grow in size to press upon the surrounding vital structures and leading to severe consequences.
Which of the following may cause metaplasia?
Cell Injury, Cellular Responses to Injury, and Cell Death This form of chronic injury may induce the conversion of the inflamed squamous mucosa to glandular mucosa that has many features of normal small intestinal mucosa. Metaplasia can also occur as a normal physiologic response.
What does Metaplastic cells mean?
A general term used to describe cancer that begins in cells that have changed into another cell type (for example, a squamous cell of the esophagus changing to resemble a cell of the stomach). In some cases, metaplastic changes alone may mean there is an increased chance of cancer developing at the site.
What does satisfactory for evaluation endocervical and/or squamous metaplastic cells endocervical component are present?
Minimal requirements for the conventional smear are an estimated 8,000-12,000 well-visualized squamous epithelial cells and 5,000 squamous cells for liquid-based preparations. At least ten well-preserved endocervical or squamous metaplastic cells are present.
What causes atypical squamous cells?
What causes atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance? ASC-US is a relatively common Pap test result in women of all ages. Causes of ASC-US include human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, inflammation of the cervix, postmenopausal status, and prior radiation therapy.
What is Ascus HPV?
Listen to pronunciation. A finding of abnormal cells in the tissue that lines the outer part of the cervix. ASCUS is the most common abnormal finding in a Pap test. It may be a sign of infection with certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) or other types of infection, such as a yeast infection.
Can atypical squamous cells go away?
These abnormalities (also called lesions) are low-grade, meaning that they are not severe, but should still be taken seriously. Most of the lesions will go away on their own, especially in younger people, but about 10 percent of the time the lesions will progress to cancer if left untreated.
What can you do with Ascus Pap?
If there are moderate to severe changes in your cervix, your doctor may want to remove the cervical tissue. Typically, your doctor will use the Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP), or perform a cold knife cone biopsy as a minor surgical procedure.
Should I be worried if I need a colposcopy?
Your doctor may recommend colposcopy if: You have had two abnormal Pap tests in a row that show atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) cell changes. You have ASC-US cell changes and certain risk factors, such as a high-risk type of HPV infection or a weakened immune system.
Graduated from ENSAT (national agronomic school of Toulouse) in plant sciences in 2018, I pursued a CIFRE doctorate under contract with Sun’Agri and INRAE in Avignon between 2019 and 2022. My thesis aimed to study dynamic agrivoltaic systems, in my case in arboriculture. I love to write and share science related Stuff Here on my Website. I am currently continuing at Sun’Agri as an R&D engineer.