How to deal with the recurrence of gastric polyps?

Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
Updated on February 10, 2025
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The use of gastroscopy is becoming increasingly common, especially the implementation of painless gastroscopy, leading to a growing number of people undergoing this examination. Consequently, the detection rate of gastric polyps has also risen year by year. Generally, gastric polyps mainly include adenomatous polyps and hyperplastic polyps, among other types. Recurrence of gastric polyps is also a common occurrence. Typically, it is advocated to remove gastric polyps via endoscopic procedures such as ligation or electrocautery, etc. Furthermore, after the removal of polyps, it is routinely advised to regularly re-examine with gastroscopy. If polyps recur, they can be removed again under gastroscopy, usually not posing any major issue.

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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 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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Are gastric polyps prone to recurrence?

For patients with gastric polyps, it is necessary to have regular follow-up gastroscopy to be vigilant against recurrence, especially in those with Helicobacter pylori infection, as recurrence of gastric polyps is relatively common. It is recommended that patients undergo a gastroscopic examination every six months to one year to assess their condition. Gastric polyps are relatively common in clinical settings and are considered a common, generally benign condition, so patients do not need to have too much psychological stress. Typically, patients undergo gastroscopy due to abdominal discomfort or changes in appetite, during which gastric polyps are discovered. The main symptoms of abdominal discomfort include upper abdominal bloating, upper abdominal pain, or nausea, etc., and appetite may decrease. Therefore, gastroscopy is a necessary diagnostic tool. The treatment of gastric polyps mainly depends on the number and size of the polyps. If the polyps are small, regular follow-up gastroscopy is possible. However, if the polyps increase in number or size, especially if they are larger than one centimeter, it is advisable to perform endoscopic removal promptly.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
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Do stomach polyps require surgery?

Gastric polyps are relatively common in clinical settings, particularly in gastroenterology outpatient clinics. The treatment outcomes for gastric polyps are generally good, so there is no need for excessive worry. Most gastric polyps are asymptomatic, but a small number of patients may experience abdominal discomfort, bloating, pain, nausea, and decreased appetite, with the polyps being discovered during a thorough gastroscopic examination. Treatment for gastric polyps typically falls into two categories: the first involves conservative management with close follow-up monitoring. Most gastric polyps are small, less than 1 cm, and do not present any alarming symptoms, such as anemia. It is recommended that patients undergo regular comprehensive gastroscopic examinations every six months to a year. The second type of treatment involves endoscopic intervention, especially when there are numerous polyps or if polyps increase in size during follow-up, exceeding 1 cm. In such cases, gastroscopic treatment is performed, and there is no need for open surgery, so patients should not worry excessively.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
1min 13sec home-news-image

Can gastric polyps be eradicated?

If a gastric polyp is discovered during a gastroscopy in the course of a medical consultation, it is generally not a problem if it is promptly removed via endoscopy, followed by regular check-ups. Therefore, patients do not need to worry too much or bear a heavy psychological burden. Clinically, gastric polyps are relatively common and are generally considered benign lesions that can be managed with regular follow-up and endoscopic removal. Most patients visit the gastroenterology outpatient clinic due to abdominal discomfort and gastric polyps are often discovered incidentally during gastroscopy. Symptoms in most patients include upper abdominal discomfort, which can manifest as bloating, abdominal pain, nausea, belching, etc., and vary widely. Diagnosis generally relies on gastroscopy, so for patients suspected of having gastric polyps, timely gastroscopic examination is recommended. If the polyps increase in number or size, timely endoscopic removal is advisable.