Is it serious if a gastric polyp becomes ulcerated?

Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
Updated on January 02, 2025
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A deteriorated gastric polyp is quite serious. Once a gastric polyp has deteriorated, active treatment is necessary because if not promptly treated, it could lead to complications such as bleeding, infection, or perforation, which could endanger the patient's life. Once a gastric polyp is definitively diagnosed, proactive intervention such as polyp removal is needed. Endoscopic polypectomy can be performed. If the polyp is large and has a wide base, making it difficult to remove via endoscopy, then surgical intervention may be required.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Postoperative care for gastric polyp electrocautery

After undergoing endoscopic polypectomy for gastric polyps, dietary adjustments should be made according to the number and severity of the polyps removed, as well as the patient's constitution. Generally, food should be prohibited for a few days post-surgery to minimize the burden on the gastrointestinal tract. Nutritional support can be provided parenterally, especially for elderly bedridden patients who should avoid pressure sores. It is important to frequently turn elderly patients, and wipe their backs and buttocks. About two weeks after surgery, the patient can transition to a normal diet, including milk and other nutritional supplements. The healing process for gastric polyp removal by electrosurgery typically takes about 6-8 weeks.

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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 Jiang Guo Ming
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Are stomach polyps scary?

As people's living conditions continue to improve and medical technology advances, the general public's demand for better health is increasing, correspondingly raising the rate of routine gastroscopic examinations. Therefore, the incidence of gastric polyps has significantly increased compared to the past. Discovering gastric polyps is not necessarily alarming. There are adenomatous polyps and hyperplastic polyps; only adenomatous polyps, if left untreated over a long period, might develop into malignant tumors. Generally, if polyps are detected and treated in a timely manner, there should be no issues. Polyps can be excised under gastroscopy, a procedure that is minimally invasive, quick, and has few side effects. After treatment, regular gastroscopic follow-ups can be conducted without major concerns.

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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 the outpatient department of gastroenterology. The symptoms of gastric polyps can generally be divided into several types. The first type is asymptomatic; patients undergo gastroscopy due to abdominal discomfort or incidental findings, discovering gastric polyps that are generally small, usually less than 0.5 cm. From a treatment perspective, regular observation can be sufficient without intervention, and a gastroscopy recheck every six months to a year is advisable. However, a small portion of patients may experience certain symptoms such as nausea, early satiety, burping, and belching, etc. Generally, the symptoms are mild and do not affect daily life or sleep, so there is no need for undue concern. The treatment of gastric polyps generally falls into two categories; the first is regular observation, possibly because the polyps are relatively small; the second, if the polyps are larger, or if they have been found to increase in size during regular check-ups, considering removal through endoscopy might be necessary.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
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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.