What should I do if a gastric polyp becomes cancerous?

Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
Updated on August 31, 2024
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If gastric polyps undergo malignant transformation, we generally refer to it as malignant tumors of the stomach, commonly known as gastric cancer. However, treatment varies depending on the size and extent of the malignant transformation of the gastric polyps. Generally, endoscopic resection is the preferred method of treatment. However, if the gastric polyps have become significantly large or deeply infiltrative, we recommend surgical intervention, such as partial gastrectomy under laparoscopy. Gastric polyps are relatively common in clinical settings, and most of them are benign. Of course, over time, a small percentage of patients may develop malignancy, commonly known as gastric cancer. Typically, for gastric cancer, endoscopic resection is the primary treatment choice, supplemented by laparoscopic surgery removal. Furthermore, if the patient shows lymphatic spread, it is considered progressive gastric cancer, and in addition to surgery, chemotherapy can be considered. Generally, the treatment outcomes for early-stage gastric cancer are quite favorable, hence it is recommended that patients pursue proactive treatment.

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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 20sec home-news-image

What should I do if a gastric polyp becomes cancerous?

If gastric polyps undergo malignant transformation, we generally refer to it as malignant tumors of the stomach, commonly known as gastric cancer. However, treatment varies depending on the size and extent of the malignant transformation of the gastric polyps. Generally, endoscopic resection is the preferred method of treatment. However, if the gastric polyps have become significantly large or deeply infiltrative, we recommend surgical intervention, such as partial gastrectomy under laparoscopy. Gastric polyps are relatively common in clinical settings, and most of them are benign. Of course, over time, a small percentage of patients may develop malignancy, commonly known as gastric cancer. Typically, for gastric cancer, endoscopic resection is the primary treatment choice, supplemented by laparoscopic surgery removal. Furthermore, if the patient shows lymphatic spread, it is considered progressive gastric cancer, and in addition to surgery, chemotherapy can be considered. Generally, the treatment outcomes for early-stage gastric cancer are quite favorable, hence it is recommended that patients pursue proactive treatment.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
1min 13sec home-news-image

Do inflammatory gastric polyps need to be removed?

Gastric polyps are relatively common in clinical practice, and generally, patients do not exhibit specific symptoms. They are often discovered during physical examinations or incidental gastroscopic exams. When numerous or particularly large gastric polyps are present, a gastroscopic biopsy is usually conducted at the same time as the gastroscopy. If the pathology biopsy indicates that the polyp is an inflammatory gastric polyp, especially if it is small, less than 1 centimeter, we recommend regular observation without actively pursuing endoscopic removal. Some patients' inflammatory polyps may regress on their own. For treatment, one can choose gastric protective medication for symptomatic observation, with a gastroscopy follow-up every six months to a year. Of course, if the polyp is considered to be inflammatory and particularly large, greater than two centimeters, we recommend removal by endoscopy as a precautionary measure, despite the fact that the risk of cancer transformation in gastric polyps is relatively small but possible.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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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
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Is APC treatment for gastric polyps painful?

The treatment of gastric polyps is mainly focused on endoscopic procedures, including APC (argon plasma coagulation) treatment, which is quite suitable for gastric polyps. For patients, the APC treatment usually does not involve pain, so there is no sensation or suffering involved. Thus, APC treatment for gastric polyps is relatively appropriate and generally considered safe. The complications to be cautious of are not pain, but rather bleeding, such as gastrointestinal bleeding post-procedure. For gastric polyps, APC treatment may take varying lengths of time; it might be completed in just a few minutes under smooth conditions, but could extend to over ten minutes in some cases. Overall, this is a relatively mature and safe examination method.