Is surgery necessary for nasal polyps?

Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 28, 2024
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Nasal polyps are benign neoplasms that occupy the spaces of the nasal cavity and sinuses. Clinically, once nasal polyps appear, they are generally removed through surgery. Currently, the main clinical approach is functional endoscopic sinus surgery. For some early-stage small nasal polyps, medications such as corticosteroids, methylprednisolone, and prednisone can be used for treatment, which can cause the gradual disappearance of very small polyps, a process known as chemical resection. In clinical practice, when nasal polyps are detected, they are usually relatively large, so once polyps are discovered during a hospital visit, treatment is typically conducted through surgery.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Are nasal polyps likely to be malignant?

Nasal polyps generally have a low chance of being malignant, as they are typically considered benign lesions and are a relatively common condition in otolaryngology. The main consideration is the specific number of polyps; if there are fewer polyps and they are localized, and the clinical symptoms are not particularly severe, this situation generally can be managed with medication treatment and regular follow-up. However, if the nasal polyps are extensive and accompanied by clinical symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, headaches, and dizziness, surgery is generally considered. After the surgery, a pathological biopsy will be necessary to accurately determine whether the polyps are benign or malignant based on the biopsy results.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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Can nasal polyps cause headaches?

Nasal polyps can cause headaches. The exact cause of nasal polyps is unknown, but they are generally due to prolonged chronic inflammation that leads to congestion, swelling, proliferation, and prolapse of the nasal turbinates' mucous membrane, resulting in the appearance of polyps. They are also often secondary to allergic rhinitis. Nasal polyps cause persistent nasal congestion, which progressively worsens, leading to persistent hypoxia in patients. This can cause symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and coughing. During examination, congested and swollen nasal mucosa can be found, and in the middle or general nasal passage, pale, abnormal, soft, painless neoplasms may be detected. In terms of treatment, nasal polyps require endoscopic nasal polypectomy and sinusotomy. After surgery, physical exercise and avoiding colds are necessary to prevent recurrence.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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What should I do if nasal polyps cause nosebleeds?

Patients with nasal polyps who experience nosebleeds should visit an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) department to identify the specific cause of the bleeding. Some patients have bleeding caused by nasal polyps, while others may bleed due to erosion of the nasal mucosa or rupture of small blood vessels. A small number of patients might have bleeding due to tumorous lesions. Therefore, after seeing an ENT specialist, it is necessary to undergo a nasal endoscopy, complete blood count, and coagulation function tests to clarify the specific cause of the condition. Some patients might choose conservative medical treatment, some may require nasal packing to stop the bleeding, and others, if conservative treatment is ineffective, may need to consider surgical treatment.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Can nasal polyps be cured?

Nasal polyps are a common condition, but whether they can be completely cured varies from person to person. Generally, treatment is divided into two main categories: conservative treatment and surgical treatment. If the nasal polyps are few and do not cause significant clinical symptoms, most patients will consider conservative treatment, which includes the use of nasal sprays, nasal irrigation, and oral medication. Generally speaking, most patients can achieve effective control and relief. However, if conservative treatment is ineffective and the nasal polyps gradually increase or if the polyps are originally extensive, medical treatment might not be effective, which may necessitate surgical removal. Currently, the main procedure performed is endoscopic sinus surgery for nasal polyp removal, which is considered minimally invasive. However, neither medical treatment nor surgery can guarantee complete and permanent cure without recurrence, thus long-term follow-up is required.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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What should I do if nasal polyps are removed but grow back?

Nasal polyps are a common condition in otolaryngology and are benign neoplasms in the nasal cavity. After nasal polyp surgery, there is a possibility of recurrence, and the likelihood of recurrence is relatively high compared to other diseases. Currently, we surgically remove nasal polyps through functional endoscopic surgery, followed by regular post-operative outpatient follow-ups to clean the nasal cavity. Since then, the recurrence rate after this surgery has been relatively low. However, if the nasal polyps recur, we must perform surgery again to remove them, as enlarged nasal polyps can block the nasal cavity and damage the surrounding tissue structures, necessitating another surgical intervention, with no other special methods available.