How to completely treat nasal polyps?

Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
Updated on April 21, 2025
00:00
00:00

A thorough treatment for nasal polyps is surgical treatment; this includes a combination of post-surgical medication and regular follow-up examinations for a comprehensive treatment. First, it is important to identify the cause of the nasal polyps, which often stem from chronic inflammation in the nasal cavity or sinuses leading to mucosal polypoid changes and consequently, nasal polyps. For instance, common conditions like allergic rhinitis can also lead to nasal polyps over time. After removing the polyps through surgery, it is necessary to treat allergies as well, because without managing the allergies, the polyps might recur quickly. Additionally, after the surgery, it's important to conduct a pathological examination to check if there is an increase in eosinophil count; with more than 27% increase, the chance of recurrence is quite high. According to some reports, eosinophilic type nasal polyps have a recurrence rate of up to 90%. Therefore, regular postoperative reviews and cleanings are essential to prevent recurrence and are key to achieving a cure.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
37sec home-news-image

Does nasal polyps require a biopsy?

Nasal polyps are benign space-occupying lesions in our nasal cavity and sinus cavity. They primarily appear as a pineapple peel-like or half a lychee-like neoplasm. They lack blood vessels and nerves, so nasal polyps generally do not undergo biopsy unless there is suspicion of malignant transformation, in which case a biopsy is performed. Typically, nasal polyps are treated surgically by removing them during surgery, then the excised tissue is sent for pathological examination to determine if the polyps are benign or malignant. Therefore, generally speaking, nasal polyps do not undergo biopsy.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
50sec home-news-image

Can people with nasal polyps drink alcohol?

Nasal polyps are a relatively common otolaryngological disease. It is advised that patients with nasal polyps should avoid drinking alcohol as it can be highly irritating. Alcohol has a direct stimulative effect on the nasal mucosa, which might exacerbate the condition of nasal polyps, potentially leading to nosebleeds or elevated blood pressure. These factors may harm overall health. Patients with nasal polyps should seek prompt medical attention from an otolaryngologist after the onset of symptoms. Examinations such as nasendoscopy and sinus CT scans can be conducted to assess the severity of the condition. Some patients might opt for conservative medical treatment, while others, for whom medication is ineffective, may need to consider surgical intervention.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
39sec home-news-image

Do you need to be hospitalized for nasal polyp surgery?

The current nasal polyp surgery requires a general anesthesia and endoscopic nasal polypectomy. Since the surgery is performed under general anesthesia, more thorough preparations are made for hospitalized patients. The surgery demands high standards, thus preoperative blood tests and related cardiopulmonary function tests are necessary, requiring hospitalization. Additionally, after the surgery, nasal packing is needed to monitor the patient's recovery and to clean the nasal cavities and sinuses. Therefore, hospitalization is needed for this type of treatment, which generally lasts from 5 to 7 days from admission to discharge.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
48sec home-news-image

How is nasal polyp treated?

Nasal polyps are a relatively common otolaryngological condition. In terms of treatment, it is first necessary to assess the severity of the condition. It is advisable to undergo a nasal endoscopy and a sinus CT scan. For cases where the nasal polyps are few and the clinical symptoms are mild, conservative medical treatment may be considered, typically involving the use of nasal spray medications, along with saline nasal irrigation. If the nasal polyps are numerous and the clinical symptoms are severe, and if conservative medical treatment is ineffective, nasal endoscopic polypectomy surgery may be considered. This is a minimally invasive surgery that generally yields good results, with less damage and a quicker recovery.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
49sec home-news-image

symptoms of malignant nasal polyps

The symptoms caused by the malignant transformation of nasal polyps mainly involve significant destruction and invasion of the surrounding bone, leading to the destruction of the skull base and orbital tissues. Patients may experience eye pain, decreased vision, headaches, and bleeding. For patients with malignant transformation of nasal polyps, diagnosis is primarily made through an electronic nasopharyngoscopy biopsy, taking a portion of the pathological tissue for confirmation. Typically, after confirming malignancy, functional endoscopic sinus surgery should be performed promptly to remove the malignant nasal polyp tissue and extend the resection to the invaded bone. This is usually complemented by radiation therapy or chemotherapy to prevent recurrence of the malignant nasal polyps.