What causes squamous cell metaplasia?

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.

Does squamous metaplasia mean cancer?

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

What is the most common cause of metaplasia?

Intestinal metaplasia is more common in people who have chronic acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Some doctors think bacteria called H. pylori causes this change in the digestive tract.

What is squamous metaplasia in the lungs?

Squamous metaplasia (SQM) is a pre-neoplastic change of the bronchial epithelium observed in the lungs in response to toxic injury induced by cigarette smoke [1–4]. It is part of a multi-stage process [5–7] which may eventually lead to full neoplastic transformation, i.e. bronchial carcinoma.

How is squamous metaplasia treated?

Conclusion: The therapeutic management of keratinizing squamous metaplasia is controversial, and currently no effective medical therapy is available for its treatment. Actually, patients undergo transurethral resections and a multidisciplinary approach is required to avoid cystectomy.

What is worse dysplasia or metaplasia?

Universally, metaplasia is a precursor to low-grade dysplasia, which can culminate in high-grade dysplasia and carcinoma. Improved clinical screening for and surveillance of metaplasia might lead to better prevention or early detection of dysplasia and cancer.

Can squamous cells be benign?

Benign skin cancers, such as squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), typically develop due to overexposure to the sun and appear on various parts of the body, such as the nose, forehead, lower lip, ears, and hands.

How is stomach metaplasia treated?

Currently, the most effective treatment is to remove the H. pylori infection completely. This removal is done in combination with the use of antioxidant agents. Studies have shown this to be an effective way of trying to reverse intestinal metaplasia.

Are squamous cells?

Squamous cells are the thin, flat cells that make up the epidermis, or the outermost layer of the skin. (Other parts of the body including the lungs, mucous membranes, and urinary tract also have layers of squamous cells, which may also become cancerous.)

Is respiratory metaplasia reversible?

Metaplasia is reversible when the stimulus for it is taken away. Dysplasia: a disordered growth and maturation of an epithelium, which is still reversible if the factors driving it are eliminated.

Is squamous metaplasia normal?

There are two types of squamous metaplasia of the urothelium, nonkeratinizing and keratinizing. The former is considered as a normal finding in females, present in the trigone and bladder neck in up to 85% of women of reproductive age and 75% of postmenopausal women.

How is the epithelium affected by squamous metaplasia?

The change in polarity of the superficial cells in the transitional epithelium may be the only indication of squamous metaplasia. In severe lesions, the metaplastic epithelium may be quite thickened, and there may be rete peg formation or keratinization.

Is the cause of squamous metaplasia reversible?

Squamous metaplasia may be reversible if the cause is removed. Squamous metaplasia is a common form of metaplasia, presumably because squamous epithelium is more resistant to damage than other forms of epithelia. Squamous metaplasia is usually the result of chronic irritation, but it can have other causes (e.g., hypovitamnosis A).

Which is more common in men, leukoplakia or squamous metaplasia?

Keratinizing squamous metaplasia, also termed leukoplakia, is more common in men and is usually associated with chronic irritation, such as indwelling catheters, calculi, and schistosomiasis. It has been recognized as a significant risk factor for the development of carcinoma of the urinary mucosa, the majority of which are squamous cell carcinoma.

What causes a mass in the pelvis called squamous metaplasia?

The keratin may be so copious that squames are seen in the urine or collect in the pelvis, forming a mass. 38,39 Keratinizing squamous metaplasia is usually the result of chronic irritation. Conditions such as chronic infection, indwelling catheters, and calculi are present in 60% to 70% of patients.