Detailed discussion of the misunderstandings about cervical erosion, which has no absolute relationship with cervical cancer

I bring up this topic again because I recently met some patients who were diagnosed with "cervical erosion" in other hospitals. First of all, many people still believe that long-term cervical erosion can lead to cancer. Many women diagnosed with "cervical erosion" are worried about whether they will develop cancer. They believe that the more severe the cervical erosion and the longer it lasts, the more likely it is to develop cancer. Theoretically, cervical erosion is actually caused by the replacement of the squamous epithelium of the cervix with the columnar epithelium, not true erosion.

Cervical cancer is caused by abnormal proliferation of cervical squamous epithelium, mainly due to related high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Simple cervical erosion, if not combined with related high-risk HPV infection, will not lead to cervical cancer.

Secondly, some women believe that "cervical erosion" can be cured, and usually think that physical therapy can cure it once and for all. In fact, if the cause is unclear, no treatment can permanently cure "cervical erosion". Because physical therapy only destroys the columnar epithelium on the eroded surface, causing it to necrotize, scab and then fall off, and new squamous epithelium grows in, achieving the purpose of "treatment". However, as the menstrual cycle progresses, "cervical erosion" may occur again.

Many people think that cervical erosion occurs only after sexual intercourse. Cervical erosion is simply caused by the replacement of squamous epithelium and columnar epithelium. Some women who do not have sexual intercourse still have severe erosion. If women who do not have sexual intercourse experience an increase in leucorrhea, or changes in color or texture of leucorrhea, they should see a doctor as soon as possible to find out the cause and seek timely treatment if necessary.