Cervical erythroplakia.

Such a rare term as “erythroplakia of the cervix” denotes a disease of the mucous tissues closer to the entrance to the vagina, which occurs in the form of an atrophic process of the superficial epithelial layer of the cervix.

This disease has not been studied in many ways, so information about erythroplakia is incomplete and leaves many mysteries for specialists. However, the disease is treatable and has a fairly favorable prognosis.

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Causes cervical erythroplakia

The causes of cervical erythroplakia are still not clearly defined. However, scientists have identified a number of factors that could contribute to the development of this disease. Among them:

• infectious diseases of the genital tract;
• trauma and damage to the cervix due to abortions, complicated labor, etc., as well as as a result of various mechanical and chemical influences;
• disorders of the endocrine system and immune defense;
• hereditary predisposition.

Today, scientists continue to work on a more thorough study of the causes of erythroplakia, because such data can fundamentally affect the treatment and prevention of this disease.

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Symptoms cervical erythroplakia

Erythroplakia of the cervix often occurs without any symptoms, and therefore in most cases it is discovered by chance during a doctor's examination. In mirrors, the disease looks like atrophy (thinning) of the outer epithelial layer of the cervix, which has the appearance of areas of reddening of the mucous tissues. At the same time, in the adjacent areas of the vaginal part of the cervix, the unchanged epithelial layer predominates.

Redness of the mucous tissues is explained by the fact that the vessels of the underlying layer begin to show through the thinned epithelial layer. These areas of redness on the cervix are areas of erythroplakia ("erythroplakia" is translated from Greek as "reddened spot").

Occasionally, when the areas affected by erythroplakia reach large sizes, the following symptoms may appear:

• pathological vaginal discharge;
• bleeding of the mucous membrane during sexual intercourse, douching, etc., up to the development of bleeding.

The disease is often detected simultaneously with colpitis or cervicitis.

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Diagnostics cervical erythroplakia

Diagnostic procedures to detect cervical erythroplakia may include:

• examination in a gynecological chair using mirrors;
• colposcopy – examination of the entrance to the vaginal cavity, vaginal walls and vaginal part of the cervix using a colposcope (a device with a binocular and a special lighting device);
• taking a smear for microflora;
• taking a smear for the presence of malignant cells (oncocytology, performed from the 16th to the 18th day of the menstrual cycle);
• taking a cervical scraping for analysis for ureaplasmosis, mycoplasmosis, chlamydia, papillomavirus;
• cervical biopsy with subsequent histology;
• examinations for RW, AIDS.

As a rule, the diagnosis of erythroplakia is established after examining the patient in a gynecological chair. Other tests and studies are necessary for differential diagnostics to distinguish erythroplakia from other similar diseases, including oncological ones.

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Treatment cervical erythroplakia

Erythroplakia of the cervix can be treated, but not conservatively, but surgically. There may be several options for such treatment, and all of them are aimed at destroying the affected area:

• cryodestruction – local low-temperature exposure (usually with liquid nitrogen), which allows the destruction of pathological tissue;
• diathermocoagulation is a method of cauterizing tissue using high-frequency currents obtained from a special diathermy device;
• conization of the cervix – removal of the cone-shaped part of the cervix;
• laser valorization – targeted “cauterization” of pathological tissues with a laser beam.

In turn, conization of the cervix can be performed in several ways:

• knife conization (rarely used);
• laser conization (a more expensive procedure);
• loop electroconization (the most common).

Which treatment method the doctor chooses is decided individually. It may depend on many factors: the patient's age, the degree of tissue atrophy, and whether the woman plans to become pregnant in the future.

Surgical treatment methods are recommended to be combined with antibacterial therapy, with further administration of drugs to stabilize the vaginal microflora. Prescription of drugs that strengthen the immune system is indicated.

Prevention

Due to the unclear etiology of the disease, there are no specific methods for preventing erythroplakia.

Among the general preventive recommendations are:

• timely and regular visits to the gynecologist;
• timely treatment of any diseases of the genital area;
• compliance with personal hygiene rules;
• preventing injuries and chemical effects on the vaginal mucosa;
• preventing hypothermia;
• abortion prevention, timely contraception;
• avoid self-medication, follow the doctor's recommendations.

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Forecast

If the disease was detected in time and the patient underwent treatment, the prognosis for erythroplakia can be considered favorable. During and for 1-1.5 months after therapy, it is recommended to postpone sexual intercourse until the cervical tissue is fully restored. Then, for a year after treatment, you should visit a gynecologist for an examination once every 3 months.

If the disease is not treated, it can later cause oncology, because erythroplakia of the cervix is classified as a precancerous condition of the genitals. It is very important to find a qualified specialist who will help cope with the disease: thanks to this, you can avoid unwanted and very serious consequences.

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