What is squamous metaplasia in cervix?

Squamous metaplasia, the process by which mature, non-squamous epithelium is replaced by stratified squamous epithelium, is a well-described phenomenon in the endocervical canal of both women and laboratory animals. In the human cervix, this process has been shown to develop in stages.

What causes squamous metaplasia in cervix?

Factors in the initiation and promotion of squamous metaplasia are chronic irritation of a physical nature, such as that caused by an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD), chemical irritants, inflammation with cell destruction, and endocrine changes at the beginning of, during, and after reproductive age.

What is atypical squamous metaplasia of the cervix?

The term atypical immature squamous metaplasia (AIM) was initially introduced in 1983 to describe lesions in the uterine cervix featuring a uniform intraepithelial full-thickness basal cell proliferation with high nuclear density in the absence of maturation but without sufficient criteria for a diagnosis of high-grade …

Is HPV squamous metaplasia?

The area of manifest or potential squamous metaplasia, referred to as transformation zone, is the site where most squamous cancers occur after a transforming HPV infection of proliferating reserve cells and/or metaplastic epithelium.

How is squamous metaplasia treated?

Treatment of choice is transurethral resection [2]. Given the lack of evidence at present it is not justified to advise cystectomy for patients with extensive squamous metaplasia alone. Keratinizing squamous metaplasia appears to be a re- sponse to chronic irritation of the bladder.

Is squamous metaplasia precancerous?

Squamous metaplasia is a benign non-cancerous change (metaplasia) of surfacing lining cells (epithelium) to a squamous morphology.

Are squamous metaplastic cells cancerous?

Is cervical metaplasia precancerous?

Process of Cervical Changes The Pap test is taken from this area because this where dysplasia (pre-cancer) and cancer most often arise. Two common changes in cells are metaplasia and dysplasia. Metaplasia – Metaplasia is generally described as a process of cell growth or cell repair that is benign (not cancerous).