What Exactly Is Dysplasia?

Symptoms of dysplasia can vary depending on the type. 

• Cervical dysplasia may not cause any symptoms until it develops into cancer. When symptoms of cervical dysplasia occur, they may include:
  • Abnormal bleeding that may occur between menstrual periods, after sexual intercourse, douching, or a pelvic exam
  • Heavy menstrual bleeding
  • Menstrual bleeding that lasts longer than usual
  • Increased vaginal discharge
  • Pain during intercourse
  • Bleeding after menopause

Myelodysplastic syndromes may not cause any early symptoms. When symptoms of myelodysplastic syndromes occur, they may include:

• Shortness of breath
• Weakness 
• Tiredness
• Pale skin
• Easy bruising or bleeding
• Flat, pinpoint spots under the skin (petechiae)

Hip dysplasia may not display any outward signs. Symptoms of hip dysplasia may include:

• Legs of different lengths
• Reduced flexibility on one side
• Uneven skin folds on the thigh
• Limping or a waddling gait

Symptoms of skeletal dysplasia may include:

• Bone abnormalities
• Short arms or legs
• Very short stature
• Growth deficiency
• Spinal problems
• Large head

Symptoms of ectodermal dysplasia may include:

• Sparse hair
• Abnormally shaped or ridged nails
• Thin, dry skin that is prone to rash, infection, and sunburn
• Missing teeth or teeth that are pointed or widely spread
• Undeveloped or malfunctioning sweat glands, which results in an inability to sweat and a risk for overheating. 

The main cause of cervical dysplasia is the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted viral infection.

Risk factors for developing cervical dysplasia are the same as for cervical cancer and include: 

• HPV infection
• Sexual history
• History of other sexually transmitted diseases
• Smoking
• Weakened immune system

The causes of myelodysplastic syndrome are unknown. 

Risk factors for developing myelodysplastic syndromes include: 

• Age 
• Past treatment with chemotherapy or radiation therapy 
• Exposure to certain chemicals, including tobacco smoke, pesticides, fertilizers, and solvents such as benzene
• Exposure to heavy metals, such as mercury or lead

Hip dysplasia usually runs in families and tends to affect the left hip more often. Risk factors for developing hip dysplasia include: 

• Being female
• Being firstborn
• Babies born in the breech position 
• Family history of hip dysplasia
• Low levels of amniotic fluid (oligohydramnios)

Skeletal dysplasia is a genetic disorder. Sometimes it is passed form parents to children while in other cases, genes mutate (change) during pregnancy for no known reason, resulting in the condition.

Cervical dysplasia is diagnosed with the same tests used to screen for cervical cancer: 

• Pap test
• HPV test

If a test comes back with abnormal results, the cervix will be examined using a colposcope to look for abnormal cells. If abnormal cells are spotted, a tissue sample (biopsy) is taken.

Myelodysplastic syndromes are diagnosed with a patient history and physical examination, along with tests such as: 

• Blood tests
  • Complete blood count (CBC) with differential
  • Blood chemistry studies
• Peripheral blood smear
• Cytogenetic analysis
• Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy

Hip dysplasia is diagnosed with a physical examination that usually includes specific leg and hip maneuvers to detect hip instability. Newborns at high risk for developing hip dysplasia may need ultrasound or X-rays to image the hip joint. 

Skeletal dysplasia is frequently diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound during pregnancy. In families who have a genetic history of the condition, it may be detected with genetic testing before birth. 

If not detected before birth, signs of skeletal dysplasia may be noted including a baby’s head growing much larger than the rest of their body. Imaging tests used to confirm the diagnosis and determine its severity may include: 

• X-ray 
• Computed tomography (CT) scan 
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan

Ectodermal dysplasia is diagnosed with a patient history of symptoms and a physical examination. It is also important to note a family history. Genetic testing is often used to confirm a diagnosis. 

Treatment for dysplasia depends on the type. 

Low-grade cervical dysplasia will often resolve on its own, while on other cases, treatment may be needed and may include: 

• LEEP: an electrified fine wire loop is used to remove precancerous tissue
• Cold knife conization: a scalpel is used to remove a cone-shaped portion of the cervix

Treatment for myelodysplastic syndromes may include:

• Supportive care 
  • Blood transfusions
  • Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) 
  • Antibiotics to fight infection
• Drug therapy
  • Lenalidomide
  • Immunosuppressive therapy
  • Azacitidine and decitabine
  • Chemotherapy used in acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
• Chemotherapy with stem cell transplant

Treatment for hip dysplasia may include:

• For newborns: 
  • Use of a harness or brace 
• For children six months to two years:
  • Closed reduction to reposition the bone without surgery
  • Body cast (spica casting)
  • Skin traction to prepare soft tissues around the hip for the change in bone positioning
  • Surgery to put the bones in position
• Children older than two years:
  • Surgery to realign the hip along with a spica cast

There is no cure for skeletal dysplasia. Treatment is aimed at helping reduce pain and correct bone growth and may include: 

• Medicine to stimulate growth or change the way a child’s bones are growing
• Surgery
• Surgery to correct spinal stenosis
• Spinal fusion surgery to correct scoliosis or kyphosis
• Limb-lengthening surgery to correct significant leg-length discrepancy or short arms that interfere with daily activities
• Osteotomy to correct a bone that is growing crooked

There is no cure for ectodermal dysplasia and treatment is aimed at managing the symptoms and improving quality of life.

Because symptoms of ectodermal dysplasia vary depending on the type, treatment varies for each individual and is based on the symptoms that are present and their severity.