Do gastric polyps always need to be removed?

Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
Updated on August 31, 2024
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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.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
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Is APC treatment for gastric polyps painful?

The treatment of gastric polyps is mainly focused on endoscopic procedures, including APC (argon plasma coagulation) treatment, which is quite suitable for gastric polyps. For patients, the APC treatment usually does not involve pain, so there is no sensation or suffering involved. Thus, APC treatment for gastric polyps is relatively appropriate and generally considered safe. The complications to be cautious of are not pain, but rather bleeding, such as gastrointestinal bleeding post-procedure. For gastric polyps, APC treatment may take varying lengths of time; it might be completed in just a few minutes under smooth conditions, but could extend to over ten minutes in some cases. Overall, this is a relatively mature and safe examination method.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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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.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
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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.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
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Do stomach polyps need treatment?

The treatment of gastric polyps generally depends on the size and number of the polyps. If the gastric polyp is relatively small, conservative treatment and regular follow-up are usually sufficient. If there is no change in the polyp during regular gastroscopy follow-ups, we generally do not need to intervene. However, if the polyps increase in number or size, especially if they are larger than 1 centimeter, we recommend that patients undergo timely endoscopic treatment. Typically, endoscopic removal is sufficient. In fact, gastric polyps are relatively common in clinical practice, and most gastric polyps are benign lesions. Prompt endoscopic removal is usually sufficient. Most patients may not have specific discomforts, such as abdominal pain, etc. Gastric polyps are often found incidentally during gastroscopy or physical examinations. Therefore, for the diagnosis of gastric polyps, we mainly rely on gastroscopy.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
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Are there many people with gastric polyps?

Gastric polyps are relatively common in clinical settings and have a higher incidence, so patients should not feel overly burdened psychologically. Clinically, gastric polyps are often identified when patients seek medical help for abdominal discomfort and undergo gastroscopy. The main symptoms include discomfort in the upper abdomen, such as bloating, abdominal pain, nausea, and belching. Gastric polyps are generally considered benign lesions, and regular follow-up examinations are usually sufficient. During these follow-ups, if it is found that the polyps have increased in number or size, especially if they are larger than one centimeter, they can then be removed through endoscopic surgery. Most patients can tolerate this well and it is considered a safe and effective method for diagnosis and treatment, so patients should not be overly concerned or overthink the situation. The occurrence of gastric polyps is increasingly observed clinically, primarily through gastroscopy, and it is recommended to undergo a gastroscopy every six months to a year for follow-up.