cervical erosion; cervical ectropion

Pathology

• the endocervical columnnar epithelium protrudes out through the external os of the cervix & onto the vaginal portion of the cervix, undergoes squamous metaplasia, & transforms into stratified squamous epithelium
• benign condition

Clinical manifestations

• can be associated with excessive but non-purulent vaginal discharge due to the increased surface area of columnar epithelium containing mucus-secreting glands
• post-coital bleeding may occur

Laboratory

• Pap Smear
• cervical biopsy

Differential diagnosis

• cervical cancer

Management

• generally no treatment is indicated
• oral contraceptives may be useful for symtomatic disease
• ablation treatment under local anaesthesia

More general terms

• mucosal erosion
• gynecologic disease

Additional terms

• cervix