Can stomach polyps cause bleeding?

Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 07, 2024
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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.

Other Voices

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
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Are stomach polyps likely to lead to stomach cancer?

Gastric polyps are precancerous lesions of gastric cancer, posing a significant risk of developing gastric cancer. There are several types of gastric polyps, including fundic gland polyps, hyperplastic polyps, and adenomatous polyps. Adenomatous polyps, in particular, have a higher rate of malignant transformation, with 11% of patients developing gastric cancer through dysplastic growth over four years. Therefore, patients with gastric polyps should undergo early removal under gastroscopy, followed by pathological classification. After treatment, regular gastroscopic examinations are necessary. It is also important to adjust the diet, avoid eating moldy food, and reduce consumption of salty and pickled foods, while increasing intake of fresh foods, fresh green vegetables, and fruits, and maintaining a positive mental attitude.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
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Do gastric polyps always need to be removed?

Gastric polyps first require a gastroscopy examination, combined with pathological examination to determine the nature of the lesion, because there are many types of gastric polyps, such as hyperplastic polyps, inflammatory polyps, hamartomatous polyps, fundic gland polyps, and adenomatous polyps, etc. After a definitive diagnosis, symptomatic treatment can be applied. Common inflammatory or hyperplastic polyps are related to Helicobacter pylori infection. If they are relatively small, eradication of Helicobacter pylori and regular follow-up can be performed. If the polyps are adenomatous, they generally have a family history, and there is a possibility of malignancy in such cases, generally requiring removal via gastroscopy. Additionally, if the polyp exceeds two centimeters in size, regardless of the type, removal is generally advocated.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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How to deal with the recurrence of gastric polyps?

The use of gastroscopy is becoming increasingly common, especially the implementation of painless gastroscopy, leading to a growing number of people undergoing this examination. Consequently, the detection rate of gastric polyps has also risen year by year. Generally, gastric polyps mainly include adenomatous polyps and hyperplastic polyps, among other types. Recurrence of gastric polyps is also a common occurrence. Typically, it is advocated to remove gastric polyps via endoscopic procedures such as ligation or electrocautery, etc. Furthermore, after the removal of polyps, it is routinely advised to regularly re-examine with gastroscopy. If polyps recur, they can be removed again under gastroscopy, usually not posing any major issue.

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Written by Huang Gang
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How to deal with vomiting caused by gastric polyps?

If you have a gastric polyp and experience nausea and vomiting, symptomatic treatment can be used, including medications that aid digestion and regulate the stomach and spleen. Also, medications to control the symptoms of vomiting can be taken orally. In severe cases, it may also be necessary to go to a hospital for an antiemetic injection. It is essential to undergo a gastroscopy to determine the size of the polyp and to perform a pathological biopsy to check for malignant changes. Additionally, it is important to remove the polyp promptly, as long-term presence of the polyp in the body can easily lead to malignant transformation.

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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.