Can gastric polyps recur?

Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 15, 2024
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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.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
1min 12sec home-news-image

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.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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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.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
1min 17sec home-news-image

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.)

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
1min 4sec home-news-image

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
1min 13sec home-news-image

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.