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Gastric polyp
Can gastric polyps recur?
For patients with gastric polyps, it is necessary to regularly re-examine the gastroscopy to be alert for recurrence after endoscopic removal, as some patients are likely to relapse clinically. Therefore, it is mandatory for patients with gastric polyps to have a gastroscopy check every six months to a year. Of course, it is advised that patients further screen for Helicobacter pylori, and if Helicobacter pylori is positive, proactive anti-Helicobacter pylori treatment is recommended. Clinically, gastric polyps are relatively common and are usually benign lesions, so there is no need to overthink or bear a heavy psychological burden. Patients generally seek medical advice for abdominal discomfort and this is most commonly seen in the department of gastroenterology, presenting symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pain, belching, and even nausea. Therefore, it is recommended that such patients undergo thorough gastroscopic examination, as the diagnosis of gastric polyps mainly relies on gastroscopy.
Do inflammatory gastric polyps need to be removed?
Gastric polyps are relatively common in clinical practice, and generally, patients do not exhibit specific symptoms. They are often discovered during physical examinations or incidental gastroscopic exams. When numerous or particularly large gastric polyps are present, a gastroscopic biopsy is usually conducted at the same time as the gastroscopy. If the pathology biopsy indicates that the polyp is an inflammatory gastric polyp, especially if it is small, less than 1 centimeter, we recommend regular observation without actively pursuing endoscopic removal. Some patients' inflammatory polyps may regress on their own. For treatment, one can choose gastric protective medication for symptomatic observation, with a gastroscopy follow-up every six months to a year. Of course, if the polyp is considered to be inflammatory and particularly large, greater than two centimeters, we recommend removal by endoscopy as a precautionary measure, despite the fact that the risk of cancer transformation in gastric polyps is relatively small but possible.
Must gastric polyps be surgically removed?
Gastric polyps do not necessarily require surgical removal; regular follow-up appointments can be sufficient. Clinically, gastric polyps are generally small, especially those under 0.5 cm, and we primarily focus on regular check-ups, performing a gastroscopy every six months to a year. Of course, if the polyps increase in size or number, particularly those larger than 1 cm, we recommend removal via endoscopy. Generally, gastric polyps are benign lesions, so there is no need for excessive worry. They are commonly observed in clinical practice and most patients do not exhibit any specific symptoms. However, a small number of patients might experience stomach discomfort, bloating, stomach pain, nausea, belching, or indigestion, among other issues. Therefore, in terms of treatment, besides endoscopic removal or regular observation, symptomatic relief can also be achieved with the use of gastroprotective medication if the patient exhibits certain symptoms. (Note: The use of medications should be carried out under the guidance of a doctor.)
Symptoms of gastric polyps
Gastric polyps are also relatively common in clinical practice, especially in the outpatient department of gastroenterology. The symptoms of gastric polyps can generally be divided into several types. The first type is asymptomatic; patients undergo gastroscopy due to abdominal discomfort or incidental findings, discovering gastric polyps that are generally small, usually less than 0.5 cm. From a treatment perspective, regular observation can be sufficient without intervention, and a gastroscopy recheck every six months to a year is advisable. However, a small portion of patients may experience certain symptoms such as nausea, early satiety, burping, and belching, etc. Generally, the symptoms are mild and do not affect daily life or sleep, so there is no need for undue concern. The treatment of gastric polyps generally falls into two categories; the first is regular observation, possibly because the polyps are relatively small; the second, if the polyps are larger, or if they have been found to increase in size during regular check-ups, considering removal through endoscopy might be necessary.
Gastric polyps should see which department?
Gastric polyps are a common clinical symptom, generally handled in hospitals, and can be treated in the department of gastroenterology. First, if the gastric polyp is asymptomatic and small, it can be periodically observed with follow-up visits in the gastroenterology outpatient clinic. Second, if the gastric polyp is large and has complications such as bleeding on the surface, gastrointestinal endoscopy can be chosen for examination and endoscopic treatment in the department of gastroenterology. If the gastric polyp does not have other symptoms but is accompanied by abdominal pain, bloating, etc., symptomatic treatment in gastroenterology can be chosen, including pain relief and stomach protection. Therefore, if gastric polyps are found, the first choice is symptomatic treatment in gastroenterology, or endoscopic treatment can be selected.
Can stomach polyps cause bleeding?
With the increasing popularity of gastroscopy, the detection rate of gastric polyps is rising year by year. Gastric polyps refer to the protrusions from the gastric mucosa into the gastric cavity, forming either round or semi-circular elevations. They are usually benign lesions, including hyperplastic polyps and adenomatous polyps. However, adenomatous polyps can potentially become cancerous and require prompt attention. If a polyp becomes eroded, it may cause a small amount of bleeding, but this generally does not lead to blood in the stool. Blood in the stool typically refers to intestinal bleeding, which can appear as bright red, dark red, or even jam-like or purplish colors. This is often caused by diseases around the anus or colon diseases, such as polyp ulceration or even tumors, etc., which should not have a significant connection with gastric polyps.
Do gastric polyps require surgery?
Gastric polyps are relatively common in clinical settings. Generally, patients do not exhibit symptoms and discover the condition either during physical examinations or incidental gastroscopic examinations. Of course, a small portion of patients may experience certain gastrointestinal symptoms, manifesting as dull pain in the upper abdomen, bloating, nausea, etc. The treatment for gastric polyps generally varies depending on the location, size, and number of the polyps. If the polyps are small, particularly less than 0.5 cm, it is recommended that patients undergo regular observations and gastroscopic examinations every six months to a year. If there are no significant changes in the polyps, symptomatic treatment may not be immediately necessary. However, if the polyps are larger, especially if they are numerous or larger than 1 cm, it is advisable for patients to have them removed via gastroscopy for biopsy to rule out the possibility of malignant changes. Therefore, for patients with gastric polyps, it is recommended to have regular follow-ups and consider endoscopic removal, which is generally a relatively safe procedure that should not be overly worrisome.
Are stomach polyps likely to lead to stomach cancer?
Gastric polyps are precancerous lesions of gastric cancer, posing a significant risk of developing gastric cancer. There are several types of gastric polyps, including fundic gland polyps, hyperplastic polyps, and adenomatous polyps. Adenomatous polyps, in particular, have a higher rate of malignant transformation, with 11% of patients developing gastric cancer through dysplastic growth over four years. Therefore, patients with gastric polyps should undergo early removal under gastroscopy, followed by pathological classification. After treatment, regular gastroscopic examinations are necessary. It is also important to adjust the diet, avoid eating moldy food, and reduce consumption of salty and pickled foods, while increasing intake of fresh foods, fresh green vegetables, and fruits, and maintaining a positive mental attitude.
Do you need anti-inflammatory medication after gastric polyp surgery?
The treatment of gastric polyps generally involves endoscopic removal. After the surgery, patients are usually advised to fast to protect the stomach and anti-inflammatory treatment is typically not necessary. Normal eating can usually resume after one to two days, and stomach protection might be appropriate for about 2 to 4 weeks, generally without the need for anti-inflammatory medication. Therefore, anti-inflammatory treatment is usually not necessary. The incidence of gastric polyps is increasing, and most patients do not exhibit specific symptoms. These polyps are often discovered incidentally during physical exams or gastroscopic examinations. Typically, gastric polyps are not large; those smaller than 0.5 cm can be observed, while those larger than 1 cm, or those that increase in size or number over time, can be treated endoscopically. Currently, endoscopic treatment of gastric polyps is a safe and effective method. Most of these polyps are benign, with fewer being malignant, so patients need not worry excessively.
Do gastric polyps always need to be removed?
Gastric polyps first require a gastroscopy examination, combined with pathological examination to determine the nature of the lesion, because there are many types of gastric polyps, such as hyperplastic polyps, inflammatory polyps, hamartomatous polyps, fundic gland polyps, and adenomatous polyps, etc. After a definitive diagnosis, symptomatic treatment can be applied. Common inflammatory or hyperplastic polyps are related to Helicobacter pylori infection. If they are relatively small, eradication of Helicobacter pylori and regular follow-up can be performed. If the polyps are adenomatous, they generally have a family history, and there is a possibility of malignancy in such cases, generally requiring removal via gastroscopy. Additionally, if the polyp exceeds two centimeters in size, regardless of the type, removal is generally advocated.