How often should gastric polyps be rechecked?

Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 19, 2024
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Patients with gastric polyps are generally advised to have a gastroscope re-examination every six months to a year. If the polyp does not grow during the swelling process, and remains roughly the same, we recommend continuing with follow-up. Of course, if the polyps increase in number or size, especially if larger than one centimeter, we recommend timely endoscopic removal. Gastric polyps are actually a common condition clinically, and patients generally do not have any specific symptoms. Most patients discover the polyps incidentally during a gastroscopy. Most gastric polyps we find are benign, but a small proportion of patients may progress to cancer over time. Therefore, patients with gastric polyps do not need to be overly concerned, just undergo regular gastroscopic re-examinations, and perform gastroscopic removal when necessary. The exact cause of gastric polyp formation is not clear, and patients may undergo further tests, such as screening for Helicobacter pylori. If Helicobacter pylori infection is detected, we recommend treatment for Helicobacter pylori.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
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Symptoms of gastric polyps

Gastric polyps are also relatively common in clinical practice, especially in gastroenterology outpatient clinics. Gastric polyps generally do not show symptoms, and are found in patients undergoing gastroscopic examinations or physical check-ups. Typically, gastric polyps are not large. However, a small proportion may be accompanied by abdominal discomfort, manifesting as hidden upper abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, belching, and so on. The treatment of gastric polyps can generally be divided into two types. For the first type, where the polyps are small, some less than 0.5 cm, regular observation can be adopted, with a gastroscopy performed every six months to a year. If the patient experiences abdominal discomfort, symptomatic treatment can be given, along with medications to protect the stomach and promote digestion. However, if the patient has multiple polyps, especially larger ones exceeding 1 cm, it is advisable to undergo a gastroscopic polypectomy, followed by regular follow-up visits. The results are generally good and there is no need for excessive concern.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
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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.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
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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.

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Written by Huang Gang
Gastroenterology
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Can people with gastric polyps drink yogurt?

If polyps are present in the stomach, it is mainly considered to be related to chronic gastritis, which is often encountered. Frequent inflammation in the stomach can stimulate the gastric mucosa to produce polyps, which are primarily a form of inflammatory change. Therefore, it is important to have a follow-up gastroscopy soon. If polyps are found in the stomach, it is best to undergo excision surgery under gastroscopy as soon as possible, as polyps in the stomach over time can easily lead to gastric cancer, which is a significant factor in the development of gastric cancer. Therefore, we should regularly have gastroscopy checks. Moreover, if symptoms like acid reflux, belching, and stomach pain often occur, try to avoid consuming irritating foods. It is important to pay attention to a bland diet and regular eating habits to prevent the recurrence or worsening of the condition.

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
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Can stomach polyps be ignored?

Gastric polyps should not be ignored. If gastric polyps are detected, it is recommended to promptly undergo an endoscopic polypectomy. Typically, when a gastroscopy is performed and gastric polyps are discovered, a biopsy is necessary to conduct a pathological examination to determine the nature of the gastric polyps. Common types of gastric polyps include inflammatory and adenomatous, the latter being more common. Adenomatous polyps have a certain potential for malignant transformation and can easily develop into adenocarcinoma. Therefore, upon discovering gastric polyps, regardless of the type, timely endoscopic polypectomy should be performed to prevent the potential for malignant transformation of the polyps. Additionally, in the presence of gastric polyps, the diet should be light and easily digestible. Foods that are greasy, rich, or difficult to digest should be avoided.