Do stomach polyps require surgery?

Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
Updated on August 31, 2024
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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 Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
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Should gastric polyps be removed?

Gastric polyps are relatively common in clinical practice. For patients with gastric polyps, regular follow-up visits are the main focus, especially when the polyps are small, and particularly when they are less than 0.5 centimeters in size. We recommend that these patients have regular follow-up appointments, with a gastroscopy examination about every six months to a year being appropriate. Of course, if a patient has a history of gastric cancer and develops gastric polyps, especially larger ones over 1 centimeter in size, we recommend aggressive endoscopic removal. After removal, the polyps should be sent for examination to clarify their nature. Subsequent regular follow-up appointments are also necessary, typically involving a gastroscopy check every six months to a year. If gastric polyps continue to form, aggressive endoscopic removal treatment is advised. Therefore, treatment choices for gastric polyps vary depending on the size, location, and nature of the polyp, with regular follow-up as the primary approach and endoscopic removal when necessary.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
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Must gastric polyps be surgically removed?

Gastric polyps do not necessarily require surgical removal; regular follow-up appointments can be sufficient. Clinically, gastric polyps are generally small, especially those under 0.5 cm, and we primarily focus on regular check-ups, performing a gastroscopy every six months to a year. Of course, if the polyps increase in size or number, particularly those larger than 1 cm, we recommend removal via endoscopy. Generally, gastric polyps are benign lesions, so there is no need for excessive worry. They are commonly observed in clinical practice and most patients do not exhibit any specific symptoms. However, a small number of patients might experience stomach discomfort, bloating, stomach pain, nausea, belching, or indigestion, among other issues. Therefore, in terms of treatment, besides endoscopic removal or regular observation, symptomatic relief can also be achieved with the use of gastroprotective medication if the patient exhibits certain symptoms. (Note: The use of medications should be carried out under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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Can stomach polyps cause bleeding?

With the increasing popularity of gastroscopy, the detection rate of gastric polyps is rising year by year. Gastric polyps refer to the protrusions from the gastric mucosa into the gastric cavity, forming either round or semi-circular elevations. They are usually benign lesions, including hyperplastic polyps and adenomatous polyps. However, adenomatous polyps can potentially become cancerous and require prompt attention. If a polyp becomes eroded, it may cause a small amount of bleeding, but this generally does not lead to blood in the stool. Blood in the stool typically refers to intestinal bleeding, which can appear as bright red, dark red, or even jam-like or purplish colors. This is often caused by diseases around the anus or colon diseases, such as polyp ulceration or even tumors, etc., which should not have a significant connection with gastric polyps.

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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 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.