Dysplasia: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Dysplasia is the presence of abnormal and/or disorganized cells in a tissue or organ. It can develop as an adaptive response that helps cells survive when they are repeatedly damaged.

Dysplasia commonly occurs because of chronic inflammation, untreated infections, or repeated exposure to toxic substances. In some cases, it may also be caused by genetic changes.

If dysplasia is detected, it is important to consult a primary care provider or the doctor who ordered the test. Treatment depends on the type, cause, and severity of the dysplasia and may include monitoring, treating the underlying cause, or removing the abnormal tissue in more severe cases.

Main types and symptoms

Dysplasia symptoms vary depending on the type. The main types include:

1. Breast dysplasia

Breast dysplasia is a benign change that can develop in breast tissue. Although there are different types of breast dysplasia, most do not increase the risk of cancer.

Main symptoms: breast lumps or cysts, swelling, redness and/or discomfort in the affected area, skin changes, and nipple discharge. In some cases, these symptoms may be mistaken for signs of breast cancer.

2. Cleidocranial dysplasia

Cleidocranial dysplasia is a type of skeletal dysplasia caused by genetic changes. It is characterized by abnormal development of bones such as the skull, collarbones, and teeth.

Main symptoms: delayed closure of the soft spots on a baby’s head, delayed tooth development, short stature, or a prominent chin and forehead.

3. Hip dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a developmental abnormality of the acetabulum, which is the socket-shaped part of the hip joint. It is usually identified within the first few months after birth.

Main symptoms: legs of different lengths, a leg that turns outward, difficulty walking, hip pain, or thigh and buttock skin folds that differ noticeably in size.

4. Skeletal dysplasia

Skeletal dysplasia refers to a group of rare genetic disorders. Examples include cleidocranial dysplasia, achondroplasia, and osteogenesis imperfecta.

This type of dysplasia affects the development of bones, ligaments, and cartilage. It most commonly involves the bones of the legs, arms, chest, skull, and/or spine.

Main symptoms: arms or legs of different lengths, short stature, fractures, or bone deformities.

5. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia is the most common complication of premature birth. It mainly affects babies born before 29 weeks of pregnancy and causes abnormal lung development.

Main symptoms: rapid breathing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, or difficulty feeding.

6. Fibrous dysplasia

Fibrous dysplasia is a benign bone tumor that can affect one or more bones. It occurs when abnormal fibrous tissue develops in place of healthy bone tissue.

Main symptoms: although it usually does not cause symptoms, fibrous dysplasia may weaken the affected bone. This can lead to pain, fractures, and/or bone deformities, and the condition may be mistaken for bone cancer in some cases.

7. Cervical dysplasia

Cervical dysplasia is the abnormal growth of cells on the surface of the cervix.

According to the CDC, certain types of human papillomavirus, or HPV, can cause cell changes on the cervix, while a Pap smear can detect precancerous changes that may develop into cervical cancer if they are not appropriately treated.

Main symptoms: cervical dysplasia usually does not cause symptoms. It is generally detected during a pelvic exam, which may also identify warts or lesions on the cervix.

Confirming a diagnosis

Dysplasia is usually identified by examining cells or tissue for abnormal changes. Depending on the type and location, testing may include a Pap smear, fine-needle aspiration, or biopsy, as recommended by a primary care provider or specialist.

The diagnosis may be confirmed through microscopic examination showing abnormal changes in the cells, including changes in their appearance, growth, and organization.

Possible causes

The main causes of dysplasia include:

• Chronic inflammation of tissues

• Exposure to toxic and/or carcinogenic substances, such as smoke, benzene, and high oxygen levels

• Infections, such as HPV

• Genetic changes associated with genetic disorders and certain tumors

Dysplasia is mainly caused by imbalances in the cellular environment. These imbalances can cause cells to change their appearance and/or organization as an adaptive response that helps them survive.

Is dysplasia cancer?

According to the National Cancer Institute, dysplasia is not cancer, but the abnormal cells may sometimes develop into cancer.

Treatment options

Treatment for dysplasia depends on the underlying cause. When the cause can be treated, the dysplasia may improve or disappear as the cause is eliminated.

However, depending on the severity of the cellular changes and whether they are permanent, the doctor may recommend surgery to remove the dysplastic tissue and/or specific medications to relieve symptoms.

For hip dysplasia, the doctor may also recommend orthopedic devices and casts to support proper joint development.