Metaplasia is the transition of tissue into another type, which can be normal or abnormal. Abnormal metaplasia is usually reversible and caused by stress or stimuli. It can lead to serious problems or malignant tumors. Diagnosis is done through a tissue sample and treatment options include addressing the cause or surgical removal. A doctor can discuss appropriate approaches.
Metaplasia refers to the transition of a particular type of tissue into another type of tissue. It can be normal, such as when cartilage hardens into bone, or abnormal, such as in Barrett’s esophagus, a condition in which the lining of the esophagus is changed by prolonged exposure to stomach acid. When metaplasia is abnormal, it can be a cause for concern, as it usually indicates that some sort of medical problem is occurring.
Abnormal metaplasia usually occurs in response to a stress or stimulus that encourages more delicate cells to be replaced by more resistant cells. The epithelial lining of the body’s internal organs, for example, can change from columnar to scaly in response to stress, as seen in cervical metaplasia. This process is also usually reversible, with cells recovering if the cause of the metaplasia is addressed.
Each cell type in the body is very specific and designed for a particular purpose. When metaplasia occurs where it shouldn’t, this can lead to a very serious problem, because the wrong type of cell can start growing in the area. This can interfere with normal body functions or can pave the way for the development of a malignant tumor that will need to be removed.
Routine medical examinations sometimes identify signs of metaplasia. Women, for example, often have cervical metaplasia diagnosed very early due to samples taken from the cervix during the annual exam. In other cases, the condition may be diagnosed during a diagnostic test or biopsy sample, in which case it may have progressed significantly from its point of origin.
A wide variety of stresses, including calcifications, exposure to environmental toxins, and cigarette smoke, can cause metaplasia. The condition is usually diagnosed by a pathologist who looks at a tissue sample under a microscope and identifies abnormal cells that shouldn’t be present in the area of the body from which the sample is taken. Once identified, treatment options usually involve a wait-and-see approach, along with actions to address the cause if it is evident. The anomaly can also be removed with a surgical procedure.
When a biopsy result indicates that metaplasia is occurring, there should be no reason to panic. Depending on where the abnormal cell growth is and how far it has progressed, there are usually many treatment options and a doctor can discuss the severity of the problem and the appropriate approach.
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