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 14sec home-news-image

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 Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
54sec home-news-image

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
1min 8sec home-news-image

Do you need anti-inflammatory medication after gastric polyp surgery?

The treatment of gastric polyps generally involves endoscopic removal. After the surgery, patients are usually advised to fast to protect the stomach and anti-inflammatory treatment is typically not necessary. Normal eating can usually resume after one to two days, and stomach protection might be appropriate for about 2 to 4 weeks, generally without the need for anti-inflammatory medication. Therefore, anti-inflammatory treatment is usually not necessary. The incidence of gastric polyps is increasing, and most patients do not exhibit specific symptoms. These polyps are often discovered incidentally during physical exams or gastroscopic examinations. Typically, gastric polyps are not large; those smaller than 0.5 cm can be observed, while those larger than 1 cm, or those that increase in size or number over time, can be treated endoscopically. Currently, endoscopic treatment of gastric polyps is a safe and effective method. Most of these polyps are benign, with fewer being malignant, so patients need not worry excessively.

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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 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.