Is it serious if a gastric polyp becomes ulcerated?

Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
Updated on January 02, 2025
00:00
00:00

A deteriorated gastric polyp is quite serious. Once a gastric polyp has deteriorated, active treatment is necessary because if not promptly treated, it could lead to complications such as bleeding, infection, or perforation, which could endanger the patient's life. Once a gastric polyp is definitively diagnosed, proactive intervention such as polyp removal is needed. Endoscopic polypectomy can be performed. If the polyp is large and has a wide base, making it difficult to remove via endoscopy, then surgical intervention may be required.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
1min 17sec home-news-image

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.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
1min 9sec home-news-image

Are there many people with gastric polyps?

Gastric polyps are relatively common in clinical settings and have a higher incidence, so patients should not feel overly burdened psychologically. Clinically, gastric polyps are often identified when patients seek medical help for abdominal discomfort and undergo gastroscopy. The main symptoms include discomfort in the upper abdomen, such as bloating, abdominal pain, nausea, and belching. Gastric polyps are generally considered benign lesions, and regular follow-up examinations are usually sufficient. During these follow-ups, if it is found that the polyps have increased in number or size, especially if they are larger than one centimeter, they can then be removed through endoscopic surgery. Most patients can tolerate this well and it is considered a safe and effective method for diagnosis and treatment, so patients should not be overly concerned or overthink the situation. The occurrence of gastric polyps is increasingly observed clinically, primarily through gastroscopy, and it is recommended to undergo a gastroscopy every six months to a year for follow-up.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Huang Gang
Gastroenterology
47sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
1min 4sec home-news-image

Can stomach polyps be ignored?

Gastric polyps should not be ignored. If gastric polyps are detected, it is recommended to promptly undergo an endoscopic polypectomy. Typically, when a gastroscopy is performed and gastric polyps are discovered, a biopsy is necessary to conduct a pathological examination to determine the nature of the gastric polyps. Common types of gastric polyps include inflammatory and adenomatous, the latter being more common. Adenomatous polyps have a certain potential for malignant transformation and can easily develop into adenocarcinoma. Therefore, upon discovering gastric polyps, regardless of the type, timely endoscopic polypectomy should be performed to prevent the potential for malignant transformation of the polyps. Additionally, in the presence of gastric polyps, the diet should be light and easily digestible. Foods that are greasy, rich, or difficult to digest should be avoided.

doctor image
home-news-image
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.