Stomach polyps, also called gastricpolyps, are abnormal tissue growths that develop in your stomach lining.
Over 85% of stomach polyps are benign (noncancerous), and many dont cause any symptoms.
However, some stomach polyps are a sign ofgastric cancer.
PonyWang / Getty Images
PonyWang / Getty Images
Are Stomach Polyps Serious or Benign?
Most stomach polyps are benign and asymptomatic.
However, some stomach polyps are malignant (cancerous) and can lead to serious health complications.
Epithelial polyps are found in the uppermost layer of your stomach lining.
Stomach polyps are discovered in approximately 1% to 3% of upper GI endoscopies.
During your endoscopy, they may remove some tissue from a polyp to be tested for signs of malignancy.
What Do Stomach Polyps Look Like?
Stomach polyps vary in size, number, and appearance based on key in.
Examples include:
Symptoms Based on Polyp Size
Most stomach polyps are asymptomatic.
This is especially true of fundic gland polyps, which tend to be small.
However, certain polypsespecially those with a diameter of 1 cm or morecause symptoms.
You may experience:
Treatment to Remove Polyps
Not all stomach polyps require treatment.
Your healthcare provider will recommend treatment approaches based on the size of the polyps and the likelihood of malignancy.
Surgery to remove a gastric polyp is called a polypectomy.
Its typically minimally invasive and can often be performed during anendoscopy.
Hyperplastic polyps caused byH.
pyloribacteria may disappear without being surgically removed if the infection is treated.
Typically, this involves taking at least twoantibiotics.
This includes adenomas, large hyperplastic polyps, and fundic gland polyps that are linked tofamilial adenomatous polyposis.
These are more likely than other FGPs to become malignant.
Potential Complications of Polypectomy
Polypectomy is a safe procedure for most people.
The most common complication of polypectomy is excessive bleeding.
Perforation of surrounding organs and tissues, which may lead to infection, is a rare but possible complication.
After being diagnosed with stomach polyps, you may need to visit with agastroenterologistfor follow-up visits and ongoing monitoring.
However, this isnt always the case.
pyloriinfection have cleared up.
Fundic gland polyps, the most common key in of gastric polyp, are usually noncancerous.
They are typically triggered by longtime proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use or familial adenomatous polyposis.
Hyperplastic polyps, another common (typically benign) stomach polyp, are often caused byHelicobacter pyloriinfections.
Adenomatous polyps, often related to atrophic gastritis, are somewhat more likely to become malignant.
They may recommend undergoing a follow-up endoscopy to ensure the polyps are entirely gone.
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