- Is squamous metaplasia cancer?
- Possible causes of squamous metaplasia
- Phases of squamous metaplasia
- 1. Hyperplasia of reserve cells
- 2. Immature squamous metaplasia
- 3. Mature scaly metaplasia
Squamous metaplasia is a benign alteration of the tissue lining the uterus, in which uterine cells undergo transformation and differentiation, causing the tissue to have more than one layer of elongated cells.
Metaplasia corresponds to a normal protection process that can happen at certain periods in a woman's life, such as at puberty or during pregnancy, when there is greater vaginal acidity, or when inflammation or irritation caused by candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis or allergies, occurs due to example.
These cellular changes are not normally considered dangerous, nor do they increase the risk of cervical cancer. In addition, squamous cervical metaplasia is a common Pap smear result and does not need specific treatment if there are no signs of candidiasis, bacterial infections or sexually transmitted infections (STIs), for example.
Is squamous metaplasia cancer?
Squamous metaplasia is not cancer, but a common change in women that arises due to some chronic irritation, and when other evidence is not present in the Pap smear result, metaplasia cannot be related to cancer.
However, although it often happens with the aim of ensuring greater protection and resistance of the uterine epithelium, the increase in cell layers can decrease the secretory function of cells, which can favor the development of neoplasia, although in most cases the metaplasias are not related to cancer.
Although it is not cancer and in most cases it does not increase the risk of cancer, the gynecologist usually requests a repeat of the pap smear after 1 year, and after two consecutive normal exams, the pap smear interval may be 3 years.
Possible causes of squamous metaplasia
Squamous metaplasia occurs mainly with the aim of protecting the uterus and can be favored by the following factors:
- Increased vaginal acidity, which is more frequent in childbearing age and pregnancy; Uterine inflammation or irritation; Exposure to chemical substances; Excess estrogen; Vitamin A deficiency; Presence of uterine polyps; Use of contraceptives.
In addition, squamous metaplasia can also be caused by chronic cervicitis, which is a constant irritation of the cervix that mainly affects women of childbearing age. See everything about chronic cervicitis.
Phases of squamous metaplasia
Squamous metaplasia can be didactically separated in some stages according to the characteristics of the cells:
1. Hyperplasia of reserve cells
It begins in more exposed regions of the cervix, in which small reserve cells are formed which, as they form and multiply, form a tissue with several layers.
2. Immature squamous metaplasia
This is a phase of metaplasia in which the reserve cells have not yet finished differentiating and stratifying. It is very important to identify this area and have regular examinations to analyze its evolution, because that is where most manifestations of cervical cancer arise.
In some cases, the epithelium may remain immature, which is considered abnormal and can initiate cellular changes that can lead to cancer. Although this complication is not very common, it can occur in some people due to an infection with HPV, which is the human papilloma virus, which can infect these immature squamous cells and turn them into cells with abnormalities.
3. Mature scaly metaplasia
Immature tissue can reach maturity or remain immature. When the immature epithelium converts to mature tissue, which is already fully formed, it becomes more resistant to aggressions, with no risk of complications.
