Do elderly patients with uterine polyps need surgery?

Uterine polyps include endometrial polyps and cervical polyps. Whether uterine polyps in elderly patients require surgery depends on the presence or absence of symptoms and potential for malignancy. Generally, if symptoms are mild and there is no evidence of malignant transformation, surgery may not be immediately necessary; regular monitoring or conservative management may suffice. However, if symptoms are severe or there is a risk of cancerous changes, timely surgical intervention is recommended to prevent disease progression. The detailed analysis is as follows:

If uterine polyps are detected but symptoms are not obvious, the patient has no discomfort, daily life is unaffected, and pathological examination shows no risk of malignancy, surgery can be temporarily avoided. However, regular follow-up examinations are still required to monitor any changes in the polyps. If hormonal imbalances are present, progestin therapy may be used under medical supervision, such as dydrogesterone tablets, medroxyprogesterone acetate tablets, or combined norethisterone tablets.

However, if the patient experiences significant symptoms such as abdominal pain, menstrual irregularities, vaginal bleeding, frequent urination, or urgency, this may indicate worsening condition or compression of surrounding tissues due to enlarged polyps. In such cases, prompt surgical removal of the polyps is generally recommended to prevent further progression that could lead to conditions like uterine cancer.

Nevertheless, elderly patients should comprehensively evaluate their overall health status before undergoing surgery. Surgery should only be performed when surgical indications are met and the patient's physical condition can tolerate the procedure. If there are any concerns, it is advisable to consult a physician prior to surgery and follow medical guidance carefully to avoid complications.