Cauterization Health Dictionary

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Cauterization: From 1 Different Sources

The application of a heated instrument to destroy tissues, to stop bleeding, or to promote healing, used in conditions such as haemorrhoids and cervical erosion. Cauterization has been largely replaced by electrocoagulation.
Health Source: BMA Medical Dictionary
Author: The British Medical Association

Bowen’s Disease

A rare skin disorder that sometimes becomes cancerous. A flat, regular-shaped, patch of red, scaly skin forms, most commonly on the face or hands. The diseased skin is removed surgically or destroyed by freezing or cauterization.... bowen’s disease

Cervical Erosion

A condition affecting the cervix in which a layer of mucusforming cells more characteristic of those found in the inner lining of the cervix appear on its outside surface. The eroded cervix has a fragile, reddened area on the surface. Usually, there are no symptoms, but some women experience bleeding at unexpected times and may have a vaginal discharge.

Cervical erosion may be present from birth. Other causes include injury to the cervix during labour and long-term use of oral contraceptives. The condition is often detected during a routine cervical smear test.

Only women who have symptoms need treatment.

Abnormal tissue may be destroyed using cauterization, cryosurgery, diathermy, or laser treatment.... cervical erosion

Electrocautery

A technique for destroying tissue by the application of heat produced by an electric current. Electrocautery can be used to remove skin blemishes such as warts. (See also cauterization; diathermy; electrocoagulation.)... electrocautery

Polyposis, Familial

A rare, inherited disorder, also known as polyposis coli, in which many polyps are present throughout the gut, but mainly in the colon. If not treated, cancer of the colon (see colon, cancer of) is almost certain to develop. The polyps may appear from age 10. They may cause bleeding and diarrhoea; however, there are often no symptoms until cancer has developed. The polyps are detected by colonoscopy.

Since there is a 50 per cent chance that children of an affected person will inherit the disease, medical surveillance is necessary from around the age of 12.

Individual polyps may be cauterized (see cauterization).

The high risk of developing cancer often means that a colectomy and an ileostomy are performed.... polyposis, familial

Curettage

n. the scraping of the skin or the internal surface of an organ or body cavity by means of a spoon-shaped instrument (curette), usually to remove diseased tissue or to obtain a specimen for diagnostic purposes (see also dilatation and curettage). Curettage of the skin is combined with cauterization; it may be used for the removal of *basal cell carcinoma, seborrhoeic *keratoses, etc., and usually causes little scarring.... curettage

Telangiectasis

n. (pl. telangiectases) a localized collection of distended blood capillary vessels. It is recognized as a red spot, sometimes spidery in appearance (see spider naevus), that blanches on pressure. Telangiectases may be found in the skin or the lining of the mouth or in the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and urinary tracts. The condition in which multiple telangiectases occur is termed telangiectasia. It may be seen as an inherited condition associated with a bleeding tendency (hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia: see Osler-Rendu-Weber disease). Accessible bleeding telangiectases (e.g. in the nose) may be obliterated by cauterization.... telangiectasis

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