Are stomach polyps scary?

Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 25, 2024
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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
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 11sec home-news-image

How often should gastric polyps be rechecked?

Patients with gastric polyps are generally advised to have a gastroscope re-examination every six months to a year. If the polyp does not grow during the swelling process, and remains roughly the same, we recommend continuing with follow-up. Of course, if the polyps increase in number or size, especially if larger than one centimeter, we recommend timely endoscopic removal. Gastric polyps are actually a common condition clinically, and patients generally do not have any specific symptoms. Most patients discover the polyps incidentally during a gastroscopy. Most gastric polyps we find are benign, but a small proportion of patients may progress to cancer over time. Therefore, patients with gastric polyps do not need to be overly concerned, just undergo regular gastroscopic re-examinations, and perform gastroscopic removal when necessary. The exact cause of gastric polyp formation is not clear, and patients may undergo further tests, such as screening for Helicobacter pylori. If Helicobacter pylori infection is detected, we recommend treatment for Helicobacter pylori.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
1min 27sec home-news-image

Do gastric polyps require surgery?

Gastric polyps are relatively common in clinical settings. Generally, patients do not exhibit symptoms and discover the condition either during physical examinations or incidental gastroscopic examinations. Of course, a small portion of patients may experience certain gastrointestinal symptoms, manifesting as dull pain in the upper abdomen, bloating, nausea, etc. The treatment for gastric polyps generally varies depending on the location, size, and number of the polyps. If the polyps are small, particularly less than 0.5 cm, it is recommended that patients undergo regular observations and gastroscopic examinations every six months to a year. If there are no significant changes in the polyps, symptomatic treatment may not be immediately necessary. However, if the polyps are larger, especially if they are numerous or larger than 1 cm, it is advisable for patients to have them removed via gastroscopy for biopsy to rule out the possibility of malignant changes. Therefore, for patients with gastric polyps, it is recommended to have regular follow-ups and consider endoscopic removal, which is generally a relatively safe procedure that should not be overly worrisome.

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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.

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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.