What is Dysplasia? Types of Dysplasia in Adults and Children

What is dysplasia or cervical dysplasia¹? How does it affect the human body? What are its symptoms, causes, and cure?

With growing medical concerns among people with aging, there is an increased risk of cervical dysplasia and other types of dysplasia. ²It is one such concern among the folks related to the abnormal cells growing in the body.

Dysplasia is a term describing a sort of cellular change developing into abnormal cells. It is an abnormal and potential reversible transformation of cells, tissue, and organs.

It is caused by the disruption of cell growth and maturation. This is the definition prescribed by the National Cancer Institute.

It indicates that when a tissue experiences dysplasia, the number of adult and mature cells falls while the number of immature cells rises. Dysplasia develops in disordered and messy tissue growth since undeveloped means sloppy and disorganized, and we now have more immature cells. It is problematic since dysplasia can, in some situations, lead to malignancy.

Another prime concern is that it affects adults but also children. As such, there are various types of dysplasia occurring in humans³.

1. Types of Dysplasia in Adults

Dysplasia is a term used to describe the abnormal growth of cells or tissues in adults. Tumours can form when these cells continue to multiply.

Dysplasia can affect any body’s tissues, although certain types are more common than others. The most common form is cervical dysplasia in adults.

1.1. Cervical Dysplasia

Cervical dysplasia occurs when cells in and around a woman’s cervix are aberrant or precancerous. The vaginal opening leads to the cervix, the bottom portion of the uterus.

Cervical dysplasia can be detected with a Pap test (pap smear). Often, a biopsy is necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Abnormalities can vary in severity from mild to severe.

Cervical dysplasia is not necessarily a sign of cervical cancer⁴. If the abnormal cell growth isn’t addressed, it can cause cancer.

There are two types of cervical dysplasia⁵ as of now:

• Low-grade or mild dysplasia: Low-grade cervical dysplasia is a kind of cervical dysplasia that advances slowly and often improves.

• High-grade or severe dysplasia: It can lead to cancer or other risk factors in adults.

1.1.1. Causes

Cervical dysplasia is a condition that can result in cervical cancer. The presence of a kind of human papillomavirus appears to be one common link to dysplasia. This form of HPV is not the same that causes genital warts.

Cervical dysplasia is more likely in people who have a weaker immune system. Cigarette smoke can also be found in significant proportions in the cervical fluids of smokers. It can raise the likelihood of a rise in abnormal cells.

1.1.2. Symptoms

An absence of symptoms is characteristic of cervical dysplasia. Exposure to HPV causes genital warts, although this is a different form of HPV than the one that causes dysplasia.

Cervical dysplasia can be detected via a Pap test. It does not indicate that a person has cancer, but it may specify that cancer may develop in the future.

1.1.3. Diagnosis

A standard pap test is usually used to diagnose cervical dysplasia. Your doctor will swab your cervix to get a sample of cells for this test. The cells are subsequently transported to a laboratory. The lab may take up to three weeks to complete the test.

Normal, inconclusive, or abnormal pap test findings are possible. If your pap test results are normal, you should get regular pap tests as recommended by the AAFP.

Inconsistent data are not indicative of cervical dysplasia. You may have a mild infection of the cervix or vaginal area. The physician may prescribe repeat pap tests. Your age and medical history will determine the next steps or diagnoses.

More testing is required to determine whether the cell alterations are mild, moderate, or severe. A colposcopy is a procedure that allows your doctor to check your cervix more thoroughly in the office. To help identify the abnormal location, they may take a cervix biopsy. These biopsies are painless and cause slight discomfort.

Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is a type of cervical dysplasia discovered through a biopsy. Mild, moderate, and severe are the three levels. The HPV test can be done simultaneously with the pap test or independently. It will detect the presence of HPV and the type of HPV present.

1.1.4. Treatment

Surgical procedures that are commonly used include: 

• Cervical tissue that is aberrant is destroyed via laser surgery.

• Cryocauterization is a technique for destroying aberrant cells by freezing them to death.

• Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP) is a procedure in which a clinician scrapes away apparent abnormal cells in the cervix using a thin loop wire.

If the person still wants to have children in the future, they should talk about how each option can affect their fertility and how to fix the situation. This could include storing eggs in the freezer.

1.2. Myelodysplastic Syndromes

MDS (myelodysplastic syndrome) is a kind of dysplasia that affects the bone marrow. It can cause leukemia in certain people.

This abnormal growth could indicate that the bone marrow isn’t producing enough healthy blood cells to keep the body functioning normally.

The MDS Foundation states that it can affect younger people, but it more commonly affects older persons, particularly those over 65.

1.2.1. Causes

MDS can develop as a result of radiation and chemotherapy treatments. For up to ten years after receiving this treatment, people may be at an increased risk of acquiring MDS.

1.2.2. Symptoms

Although there are no symptoms, a regular blood test may reveal a low red cell, platelet, or white blood cell count.

1.2.3. Treatment

MDS can only be treated with a stem cell transplant. If this isn’t a possibility, the person may get help from blood transfusions and blood cell growth factors.

1.3. Hip Dysplasia in Adults

Adults diagnosed with hip dysplasia have most likely had the disease since infancy. According to the International Hip Dysplasia Institute, 35,000 hip replacements are estimated to occur annually due to hip dysplasia.

1.3.1. Causes

The International Hip Dysplasia Institute reports that hip dysplasia is 12 times more likely to occur in families with a history. Hip dysplasia has also been connected to being a woman, incorrect infant swaddling, and the baby breech.

While genes appear to have a part, they may not be the direct cause of the disease. Although genetic factors may make a person more sensitive, environmental variables may cause symptoms in those individuals.

1.3.2. Symptoms

Hip dysplasia is characterized by hip discomfort as the most prevalent symptom. A snapping noise in the hip or discomfort in the groin that lasts months may also be present.

2. Types of Dysplasia in Children

In most cases, dysplasia in children impacts the child’s development. It may be present even before the child is born. In many circumstances, early diagnosis can lead to prompt treatment.

2.1. Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia, also known as developmental dysplasia of the hip, affects some children (DDH). The hip joint or socket portion may be misaligned to support the leg bone. As a result, every portion of the hip joint is subjected to additional wear and tear.

The children may have the following conditions, according to the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS):

• Legs of various lengths

• a peculiar walk with a lack of flexibility on one side

2.1.1. Treatment/Cure

A harness or surgery may be used as part of the treatment. To maintain the hip in place, wearing a soft harness for up to 3 months is advisable for infants up to six months old.

It’s usually successful in most cases. If this does not work, a doctor may propose a brace composed of a more hard substance.

Before putting on a body cast, the doctor may need to gently adjust the child’s thighbone. After relocating the thighbone, infants aged 6 months to 2 years old may require a cast.

In some cases, a youngster will require open surgery to replace the bone in the socket.

2.2. Skeletal Dysplasia

Skeletal dysplasia causes various problems, including bone malformations, growth problems, and low height.

Dysplasia refers to a group of more than 350 skeletal abnormalities. They arise as a result of a genetic mutation. The diagnosis is usually made before or during infancy.

2.2.1. Symptoms

The traits associated with this disorder are short stature and delayed growth, large heads, short limbs, bent bones, and packed teeth.

2.2.3. Treatment

If someone suffers from this ailment, they could choose from back braces to correct a spine curvature, and growth hormone braces to improve the crowding of their teeth.

2.3. Ectodermal Dysplasia

The skin, hair, nails, and sweat glands are all affected by ectodermal dysplasia. There are 150 forms of ectodermal dysplasia⁶ as per the National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasia (NFED). Some may be obvious from birth, while others may take years to diagnose correctly.

Ectodermal dysplasia is a type of dysplasia that runs in families. The genetic alterations can be passed down to offspring by their parents.

2.3.1. Symptoms

Ectodermal dysplasia affects hair, teeth, nails, skin, and sweat glands in a variety of ways, depending on the kind of ectodermal dysplasia⁷.

Some symptoms include brittle hair, unusual teeth, discoloured toes, and dry, scaly skin.

2.3.2. Treatment

A person suffering from this ailment may be able to choose among the following options such as using topical creams for skin complaints as part of a regular oral hygiene routine, using antimicrobial scalp treatments, saline nasal sprays, or eye drops for dry eyes.

Frequently Asked Questions –

1. Is cervical dysplasia a cancer?

No, cervical dysplasia is not cancer. However, cervical dysplasia can range from minor to severe and it may resolve on its own.

2. Can hip dysplasia be cured?

Conclusion: What is Dysplasia?

By avoiding high-risk sexual contact associated with HPV infection, such as early sexual activity and having several sexual partners, women can reduce their risk of cervical dysplasia.

Sexually active women whose male partners use condoms appropriately throughout every sexual contact may have a 70% lower risk of contracting HPV.

Healthy lifestyles can minimize the risk of acquiring some types of dysplasia, such as those that limit the use of tobacco and cigarettes.

Dysplasia may be the result of genetic influences. There is no evidence that any lifestyle or behavioural adjustments that may minimize the risk of dysplasia are beneficial.

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3. Woolf, Adrian S., et al. “Evolving concepts in human renal dysplasia.” Journal of the American Society of Nephrology 15.4 (2004): 998-1007. ↩︎
4. van Schalkwyk, Susarie Louise, Johanna Elizabeth Maree, and Susanna Catharina Dreyer Wright. “Cervical cancer: the route from signs and symptoms to treatment in South Africa.” Reproductive health matters 16.32 (2008): 9-17. ↩︎
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Last Updated on July 22, 2024 by Sathi Chakraborty, MSc Biology