What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

• Cervical Lobular Endocervical Glandular Hyperplasia
• LEGH of Uterine Cervix
• Pyloric Gland Metaplasia of Uterine Cervix

What is Lobular Endocervical Glandular Hyperplasia of Uterine Cervix? (Definition/Background Information)

• Lobular Endocervical Glandular Hyperplasia (LEGH) of Uterine Cervix is a benign condition that is characterized by an abnormal increase of glands within the cervix (endocervical glands). This type of glandular hyperplasia is diagnosed based upon the pattern observed under a microscope
• Lobular Endocervical Glandular Hyperplasia of Cervix presents the same morphological features of gastric pyloric glands on examination by a pathologist
• The condition is observed in both premenopausal and postmenopausal women. But, because LEGH of Cervix is associated with cancers, such as adenocarcinoma in situ, adenoma malignum of the uterine cervix, and some forms of cervical cancer, some researchers believe that it may be a premalignant condition
• There are no clearly established risk factors for Lobular Endocervical Glandular Hyperplasia of Cervix. However, some cases are seen in the backdrop of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, which is a genetic disorder
• Cervical Lobular Endocervical Glandular Hyperplasia is an incidental finding in some cases. No significant signs and symptoms or complications are generally noted; however, some women may present with abnormal vaginal discharge
• The treatment course includes surgical management, since a few cases have been associated with adenocarcinomas. In general, the prognosis of Lobular Endocervical Glandular Hyperplasia of Uterine Cervix is excellent with adequate treatment

Who gets Lobular Endocervical Glandular Hyperplasia of Uterine Cervix? (Age and Sex Distribution)

• Lobular Endocervical Glandular Hyperplasia of Uterine Cervix is generally observed in young adult women during their active reproductive period (20-35 years), or in women following menopause (after age 48-50 years)
• There is no known ethnic or racial preference and the condition is seen worldwide

What are the Risk Factors for Lobular Endocervical Glandular Hyperplasia of Uterine Cervix? (Predisposing Factors)

• No definitive risk factors have been identified for Lobular Endocervical Glandular Hyperplasia of Uterine Cervix
• Some cases of LEGH of Cervix are observed in women with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome

It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that one will get the condition. A risk factor increases ones chances of getting a condition compared to an individual without the risk factors. Some risk factors are more important than others.

Also, not having a risk factor does not mean that an individual will not get the condition. It is always important to discuss the effect of risk factors with your healthcare provider.

What are the Causes of Lobular Endocervical Glandular Hyperplasia of Uterine Cervix? (Etiology)

• Currently, the exact cause and mechanism of formation of Lobular Endocervical Glandular Hyperplasia of Uterine Cervix is unknown
• Studies have shown that LEGH of Uterine Cervix with atypical features may show chromosomal abnormalities
• The condition is not known to be associated with human papilloma virus (HPV) infection

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Lobular Endocervical Glandular Hyperplasia of Uterine Cervix?

The following signs and symptoms of Lobular Endocervical Glandular Hyperplasia of Uterine Cervix may be noted:

• The condition can cause a discharge of water or mucus (abnormal vaginal discharge)
• Sometimes, the presence of a mass may be noted on imaging studies. The mass may be cyst-like in some cases, during the visual examination
• LEGH is seen to be crowded around a large central gland which shows features of benign glands from stomach (pyloric type gastric glands)
• Most of the lesions are asymptomatic and present no significant signs and symptoms

How is Lobular Endocervical Glandular Hyperplasia of Uterine Cervix Diagnosed?

A diagnosis of Lobular Endocervical Glandular Hyperplasia of Uterine Cervix may involve the following steps:

• Evaluation of the individual’s medical history and a thorough physical (pelvic) examination
• Ultrasound scan of the abdomen
• CT or CAT scan with contrast of the abdomen and pelvis. This radiological procedure creates detailed 3-dimensional images of structures inside the body
• MRI scans of the abdomen and pelvis: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses a magnetic field to create high-quality pictures of certain parts of the body, such as tissues, muscles, nerves, and bones. These high-quality pictures may reveal the presence of the mass
• Colposcopy: The cervix is examined with an instrument, called a colposcope. This helps the physician get a magnified view of the cervix

Cervical biopsy: It is the process of removing tissue for examination. In the case of lobular endocervical glandular hyperplasia, a complete excision and removal of the mass can help in the process of a biopsy, as well as be a means for treating the condition.

A pathologist looks at the tissue sample under a microscope, to detect any evidence of cancer. Types of cervical biopsies include:

• Colposcopic biopsy: The abnormal areas of the cervix are visualized with a colposcope. After numbing the cervix with a local anesthetic, an instrument, called a biopsy forceps, is used to get a tissue sample.  Mild cramps, pain, and some light bleeding, may occur following the procedure
• Endocervical curettage (endocervical scraping): The curette is an instrument that can be used to scrape out tissue. Using a curette, cells are scraped out from the endocervix (the inner part of the cervix, close to the uterus/womb) and examined under a microscope. Mild pain and bleeding may be present following the procedure

Note: 

• Lobular Endocervical Glandular Hyperplasia of Cervix may be an incidental finding, while the individual is being examined for other medical conditions
• On examination of the mass, morphological features of stomach pyloric glands are observed by the pathologist under a microscope

Many clinical conditions may have similar signs and symptoms. Your healthcare provider may perform additional tests to rule out other clinical conditions to arrive at a definitive diagnosis.

What are the possible Complications of Lobular Endocervical Glandular Hyperplasia of Uterine Cervix?

• Significant complications from Lobular Endocervical Glandular Hyperplasia of Cervix are generally not noted, because it is a benign condition in most cases
• A few cases have been associated with adenocarcinomas or precancers

How is Lobular Endocervical Glandular Hyperplasia of Uterine Cervix Treated?

Treatment measures for Lobular Endocervical Glandular Hyperplasia of Uterine Cervix may include the following:

• Surgical intervention with complete excision can result in a complete cure
• Post-operative care is important: Minimum activity level is to be ensured until the surgical wound heals
• Follow-up care with regular screening and check-ups are important

How can Lobular Endocervical Glandular Hyperplasia of Uterine Cervix be Prevented?

• Current medical research has not established a method of preventing Lobular Endocervical Glandular Hyperplasia of Uterine Cervix
• Medical screening at regular intervals with scans and physical examinations are advised

What is the Prognosis of Lobular Endocervical Glandular Hyperplasia of Uterine Cervix? (Outcomes/Resolutions)

• The prognosis of Lobular Endocervical Glandular Hyperplasia of Uterine Cervix is excellent with surgical intervention and complete removal, since in a majority of cases it is a benign condition
• Few cases of LEGH of Cervix are seen in the background of adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) or high-grade cervical glandular intra-epithelial neoplasia (HG-CGIN)
• Since they may be associated with minimal deviation or gastric type adenocarcinoma, a careful examination of the surrounding tissue is necessary

Additional and Relevant Useful Information for Lobular Endocervical Glandular Hyperplasia of Uterine Cervix:

Please visit our Women’s Health center for more physician-approved health information:

http://www.dovemed.com/healthy-living/womens-health/