Are nasal polyps serious?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on February 08, 2025
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Nasal polyps are a relatively common otolaryngologic disease, and for the most part, most patients are not too serious; only a small number of patients have more severe nasal polyps with more obvious symptoms. In terms of treatment, if the nasal polyps are few and the clinical symptoms are not particularly pronounced, conservative medical treatment can be considered. Commonly used are corticosteroid nasal sprays, and physiological saline can be used to rinse the nasal cavity to help improve clinical symptoms; if there are many nasal polyps and the clinical symptoms are very pronounced, and standard medication treatment is ineffective, surgery may be considered. A common procedure is endoscopic nasal polyp removal. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor according to specific circumstances.)

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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What are the symptoms of nasal polyps?

Nasal polyps are benign tumors that occur inside the nasal cavity. Generally, the appearance of nasal polyps is associated with chronic inflammatory stimulation, repeated irritation of the turbinate mucosa leading to congestion, edema, prolapse, and hyperplasia of the turbinate mucosa, which causes nasal polyps. They are also often secondary to allergic rhinitis. Nasal polyps can cause bilateral nasal congestion in patients, which tends to persist and worsen, while mucous secretions may also flow from the nasal cavity. In severe cases, patients may experience facial swelling, pain, headaches, and other related symptoms. During examination, pale white lychee-like, soft new growths that are usually painless can be found inside the nasal cavity. In terms of treatment, nasal polyps require endoscopic nasal polypectomy. The surgery requires hospitalization, general anesthesia, and postoperative antibiotics to prevent local infection. Patients can usually recover and be discharged about a week after the surgery. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Is there a high possibility that nasal polyps are malignant?

Nasal polyps are a type of benign neoplasm in the nasal cavity, appearing as half a lychee, translucent, and either oval or ovoid in shape. They occupy the normal passages of the nasal cavity, causing symptoms such as nasal congestion, and even headaches in the head or forehead area. Nasal polyps are benign neoplasms and rarely develop into malignant lesions. Clinically, there have been no cases seen where nasal polyps have turned malignant. Some growths that look like nasal polyps may actually be nasal papillomas, which are more prone to malignancy. Therefore, it is recommended that patients with nasal polyps undergo early surgical intervention followed by a pathological examination to differentiate them from nasal papillomas and to assess the prognosis of the condition.

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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Do nasal polyps have to be surgically removed?

Nasal polyps are common in otolaryngology and frequently recurring. If a patient with nasal polyps does not exhibit significant symptoms, they can be managed with observation and the targeted use of local anti-inflammatory medications to reduce the growth and enlargement of the polyps. If the patient experiences significant symptoms such as bilateral nasal obstruction, pus discharge, or headaches linked to the condition, surgery should be considered. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery can be performed under video guidance to thoroughly remove the affected mucosa and polypoid tissue in the nasal cavity, thereby curing the patient. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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Does everyone have nasal polyps?

Nasal polyps are not something everyone has. The main causes of nasal polyps are related to the patient's smoking, drinking, and long-term exposure to physical and chemical factors in the air, which lead to the proliferation of redundant tissue on the surface of the nasal mucosa, blocking the patient's middle nasal passage and nasal vestibule, thereby causing symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, and headaches. When patients with nasal polyps experience nasal congestion and runny nose, our first approach should be anti-inflammatory and symptomatic treatment. Next, it is necessary to perform a thorough diagnosis with an electronic nasopharyngoscope and paranasal sinus CT scan. After a confirmed diagnosis, patients with nasal polyps usually need functional endoscopic sinus surgery, which involves removing the polyp tissue blocking the nasal cavity and opening the sinus openings to restore the normal physiological environment and drainage of the nasal cavity.

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Written by Li Rui
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Nasal polyps bleeding is a symptom.

Nasal polyps accompanied by bleeding can have various causes. It might be due to hemorrhagic polyps, bleeding from the nasal mucosa, rupture of small blood vessels due to dry nasal cavities, or potentially sinusitis associated with the nasal polyps causing the bleeding. A small number of patients may have blood disorders such as coagulation dysfunction or thrombocytopenia. In such cases, it is necessary to visit an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) specialist for a nasopharyngoscope examination, complete blood count, and coagulation function tests to determine the specific causes of the condition, and then to proceed with targeted treatment. Surgery might be considered for some patients.