Cervical Dysplasia
Description
Uterine cervical dysplasia is a term used to describe a "bad molding" or, in scientific terms, disordered development of body epithelial cells in the uterine cervical region of a woman's body.
Dysplasia is a term used in pathology to describe an alteration in adult cells characterized by variations in their size, shape and organization. Dysplasia is considered a controversial term and is used both loosely and commonly. Strict definition describes dysplasia as a deranged development of cells. In common medical usage it is applied to the epithelial cells or mesenchymal cells, principally the former which have undergone somewhat irregular, atypical inflammation. Dysplasia is not an adaptive process but because it is closely related to hyperplasia, it is sometimes called atypical hyperplasia.
Epithelial dysplasia does not present a loss of normal orientation of one epithelial cell to the other; however, it does present alterations in the cellular size and shape, and staining characteristics of cells. Epithelial dysplasia is most commonly encountered in the uterine cervix but often affects other epithelia.
In both the cervix and the respiratory tract, such dysplasia is strongly implicated in the causation of cancer. Dysplastic changes are often found adjacent to foci of cancerous transformation and, in long-term studies of cigarette smokers, epithelial dysplasia almost invariably precedes the appearance of cancer. However, many clinical studies implicate that a known dysplasia does not necessarily progress to cancer. The changes may be reversible and, with the removal of the inciting causes, the epithelium may revert to normal.
Dysplasia is subdivided into different categories which describe the evolution or stage of the condition, from very mild, mild, moderate and severe, depending on proportion of the thickness of squamous epithelium involved by atypical cells. At the point where there is full thickness involvement by atypical cells, the term carcinoma in situ is applied.
Causes
There is no unanimous opinion as to the cause of uterine cervical dysplasia but statistics support the following causes as reasons for a rate of higher incidence found in women:
Sexual Intercourse and Promiscuity
Severe cervical dysplasia, appears to involve some initiating agent transmitted from male to female. Multiple sexual partners increases the likelihood of initially encountering the agent, as well as making possible repeated contact with it. There is a high incidence found in prostitutes, and in research conducted with 13,000 nuns over a 20-year period, no case of cervical cancer was found.
Age Factor
The peak incidence age group for dysplasia is between 30 and 40 years; moderate dysplasia occurs in the 20 to 30 year old age group; milder dysplasia incidence may be seen in teenagers.
Herpes Simplex Type II Infection
Carcinogenic Influences
Signs & Symptoms
Although milder cases of uterine cervical dysplasia do not constitute a carcinoma or cancer, it does indicate a precursor stage for possible severity or malignancy. Very mild to mild stages of dysplasia are difficult to detect without medical tests such as pap smears. If regular tests are not conducted, it is important to be aware of signs such as vaginal discharge, a common warning sign of uterine cervical cancer which can forewarn of cancer.
Any unusual vaginal bleeding which is not directly related to menstruation should be noted. Bleeding in cases of gynecologic cancer can occur at any time and is not necessarily accompanied by a discharge. Blood in the urine or in the stool may also be a warning sign.
The indication of any of these signs should not be interpreted as a diagnosis of uterine cervical dysplasia or cancer. A determination of these conditions can only be made by a medical doctor and appropriate tests. In the majority of instances, the warnings are of some condition other than cancer.
Nutritional Supplements
Structure & Function: Women's Health
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General Supplements
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| Calcium | 300 - 500 mg |
| Folic acid | 400 - 1,000 mcg |
| Magnesium | 300 - 500 mg |
| Selenium | 100 - 300 mcg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 25 - 100 mg |
| Vitamin C | 2,000 - 4,000 mg |
Note: All amounts are in addition to those supplements having a Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). Due to individual needs, one must always be aware of a possible undetermined effect when taking nutritional supplements. If any disturbances from the use of a particular supplement should occur, stop its use immediately and seek the care of a qualified health care professional.
Dietary Considerations
Homeopathic Remedy
1.* Conium maculatum 15C to 30C or higher
2.* Sepia 30C especially prolapse
Treatment Schedule
Doses cited are to be administered on a 3X daily schedule, unless otherwise indicated. Dose usually continued for 2 weeks. Liquid preparations usually use 8-10 drops per dose. Solid preps are usually 3 pellets per dose. Children use 1/2 dose.
Legend
X = 1 to 10 dilution - weak (triturition)
C = 1 to 100 dilution - weak (potency)
M = 1 to 1 million dilution (very strong)
X or C underlined means it is most useful potency
Asterisk (*) = Primary remedy. Means most necessary remedy. There may be more than one remedy - if so, use all of them.
Herbal Approaches
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Herbs
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Black cohosh
Caraway
Catnip
Myrrh
Shepherd's purse
Note: The misdirected use of an herb can produce severely adverse effects, especially in combination with prescription drugs. This Herbal information is for educational purposes and is not intended as a replacement for medical advice.
Aromatherapy - Essential Oils
| Geranium Essence, | Juniper Essence. |
Related Health Conditions
Cancer
Diabetes mellitus
Inflammation
Leukorrhea
Menopause
Oral contraceptives
Pregnancy
Smoking
References
Amburgey, C. F. et al: Undernutrition as a Risk Factor For Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia: A Case-Control Analysis. Nutrition and Cancer, 1993;20(1):51-60.
Bland, Jeffrey. Nutraerobics. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1983.
Bland, Jeffrey. Medical Applications of Clinical Nutrition. New Canaan, Conn.: Keats, 1983.
Butterworth, C.E. et al: Improvement in cervical dysplasia associated with folic acid therapy in users of oral contraceptives. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 1982, 35: 73-82.
Butterworth, C.E. & D. Norris. Folic Acid and Vitamin C in Cervical Dysplasia. Am. Jour. Of Clin. Nutri., 37. l983.
Dawson, E. et al: Serum vitamin and selenium changes in cervical dysplasia. Fed. Proc. 1984, 43: 612.
Kitay, D. & Wentz, B.: Cervical cytology in folic acid deficiency of pregnancy. Am. J. Ob. Gyn. 1969, 104: 931-938.
Kunz, J.R.M. 1982. The American Medical Association Family Medical Guide. Random House Pub, New York. 832 pp.
LaVecchia, C. et al: Dietary vitamin A and the risk of invasive cervical cancer. Int. J. Cancer, 1984, 34: 319-322.
Orr, J. et al: Nutritional status of patients with untreated cervical cancer. I. Biochemical and immunological assessment. Am. J. Ob. Gyn. 1985, 151: 625-631.
Orr, J. et al: Nutritional status of patients with untreated cervical cancer. II. Vitamin assessment. Am. J. Ob. Gyn. 1985, 151: 632-635.
Palan, P. et al: B-Carotene Levels in Exfoliated Cervicovaginal Epithelial Cells and Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia and Cervical Cancer. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, December 1992;167(6):1899-1903.
Ramaswamy, P. & Natarajan, R.: Vitamin B6 status in patients with cancer of the uterine cervix. Nutr. Cancer, 1984, 6: 176-180.
Robbins, S.L. & R.S. Cotran. 1979. Pathologic Basis of Disease. 2nd ed. Saunders Pub Co., Philadelphia. 1598 pp.
Romney, S. et al: Retinoids and the prevention of cervical dysplasia. Am. J. Ob. Gyn. 1981, 141: 890-894.
Romney, S. et al: Plasma vitamin C and uterine cervical dysplasia. Am. J. Ob. Gyn. 1985, 151: 978-980.
Romney SL et al., Effects of beta-carotene and other factors on outcome of cervical dysplasia and human papillomavirus infection. Gynecol Oncol, 1997 Jun, 65:3, 483-92.
Streiff, R.: Folate deficiency and oral contraceptives. JAMA. 1970, 214: 105-108.
Subak-Sharpe, G.J. 1984. The Physician's Manual For Patients. Times Books Pub, New York. 607 pp.
Van Eenwyk, J.: The Role of Vitamins in the Development of Cervical Cancer. The Nutrition Report, January 1993;11(1):1,8.
Van Niekerk, W.: Cervical cytological abnormalities caused by folic acid deficiency. Acta Cytol. 1966, 10: 67-73.
Wassertheil-Smoller, S. et al: Dietary vitamin C and uterine cervical dysplasia. Am. J. Epid. 1981, 114: 714-724.
Whitehead, N. et al: Megaloblastic changes in the cervical epithelium association with oral contraceptive therapy and reversal with folic acid. JAMA 1973, 226: 1,421-1,424.
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