Do you need to remove polyps even if they are not cancerous? Don't hesitate to have these high-risk polyps! Doctors teach you how to read physical examination reports

Many people are diagnosed with polyps during routine physical examinations, especially after gastroscopy, colonoscopy or gallbladder ultrasound examinations. Doctors often tell patients that "if polyps are found, regular follow-up or surgical removal is recommended." This makes many people wonder: "Why do we need to remove polyps if they are not cancerous?"

So, what exactly are polyps? Do they have a risk of becoming cancerous? Which polyps need to be removed? Today, we will take a comprehensive look at the issue of polyps.

1. What are polyps?

Polyps are protrusions formed by abnormal proliferation of human tissues , which can occur in multiple organs, such as the stomach, intestines, gallbladder, nasal cavity, etc. They may be benign hyperplasia , precancerous lesions , or even have developed into malignant tumors. Therefore, polyps themselves are not a specific disease, but a pathological concept .

Polyps in different parts of the body have different classifications, but overall, the pathological types of polyps mainly include:

1. Inflammatory polyps : usually caused by inflammatory stimulation, such as gastritis, enteritis, etc., and the risk of cancer is low.

2. Hyperplastic polyps : They are formed by abnormal proliferation of tissue cells. They are usually benign, but some may become malignant, such as hyperplastic gastric polyps and hyperplastic intestinal polyps.

3. Adenomatous polyps : They are true precancerous lesions with a higher risk of cancer, such as adenomatous colon polyps and gastric adenomas.

4. Hamartomatous polyps : caused by abnormal tissue development, generally will not become malignant, such as juvenile polyps and Peutz-Jeghers syndrome-related polyps.

5. Serrated polyps : They may be hyperplastic or adenomatous, and some have a higher potential for cancer, especially serrated adenomas.

Different types of polyps have very different risks of becoming cancerous . Therefore, whether to remove them should be determined based on a comprehensive assessment of factors such as pathological type, size, and location.

2. Do polyps have a high rate of becoming cancerous? Which polyps will become cancerous?

Not all polyps will become cancerous , but certain types of polyps do have a higher risk of malignancy and require special attention.

1. Colon polyps: the highest risk of cancer

Colon polyps are common digestive tract polyps, some of which may develop into colorectal cancer. Adenomatous polyps are the most dangerous type .

Tubular adenoma : canceration rate 5%-10%

Villous adenoma : canceration rate 30%-50%

Serrated adenoma : canceration rate 15%-20%

The larger the polyp, the higher the risk of cancer, especially for adenomatous polyps larger than 1 cm , the cancer rate increases significantly.

2. Gastric polyps: Some polyps require caution

Most gastric polyps are benign, but adenomatous gastric polyps have a certain risk of cancer, especially:

Adenomatous polyps >2 cm have a canceration rate of more than 30%.

Multiple gastric polyps (such as familial adenomatous polyposis) have a very high risk of cancer

In addition, the gastric polyps of patients with long-term gastritis (such as those infected with Helicobacter pylori ) are more likely to become cancerous than those in the general population.

3. Gallbladder polyps: Most are harmless, but a few require caution

Gallbladder polyps are mainly cholesterol polyps and adenomatous polyps . Cholesterol polyps generally do not become cancerous, but adenomatous polyps or polyps larger than 1 cm may develop into gallbladder cancer.

4. Polyps in other parts of the body

Nasal polyps : These are usually inflammatory or allergic growths that will not turn into cancer, but may affect breathing or smell.

Endometrial polyps : Some may be precancerous lesions, especially postmenopausal women should be alert to abnormal bleeding.

3. Which polyps need to be removed?

Although not all polyps will become cancerous, high-risk polyps must be removed . Here are some types of polyps that may require surgery or regular monitoring .

1. Colon polyps that require removal

All adenomatous polyps (regardless of size)

l Polyps larger than 1 cm (regardless of pathological type)

lSerrated adenoma (higher potential for malignant transformation)

lMultiple polyps

l The rate of polyp canceration in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is very high and requires high attention. Individualized treatment should be carried out after evaluation at a professional medical institution.

2. Gastric polyps that need to be removed

l Adenomatous gastric polyps , especially those > 1 cm

l Multiple gastric polyps , especially those with a family history

lGastric polyps associated with gastritis or Helicobacter pylori infection

3. Gallbladder polyps that require removal

Gallbladder polyps >1 cm (increased risk of malignancy)

nFast-growing polyps (significant enlargement in a short period of time)

nGalile stones and polyps (increased risk of gallbladder cancer)

nPolyp patients with a family history of gallbladder cancer

4. Other situations

nEndometrial polyps : Resection is recommended for postmenopausal women with irregular bleeding.

nNasal polyps : If the nasal cavity is blocked and breathing is affected, or if it recurs frequently, surgery may be considered.

4. Summary: Polyps are not a trivial matter, don’t wait until they turn into cancer to regret it!

Whether polyps need to be removed depends on the pathological type, size, number and risk of malignancy .

1. High-risk polyps must be removed (such as adenomatous polyps, polyps larger than 1 cm, multiple polyps, etc.).

2. Certain polyps can be observed regularly (such as small hyperplastic polyps, cholesterol polyps, etc.).

3. Benign polyps do not mean they can be completely ignored . Regular physical examinations and follow-ups are important, especially for polyps in the gastrointestinal tract and gallbladder.

In short, don’t panic too much after discovering polyps. Even if it is an adenomatous polyp, it will take 5-10 years to develop into cancer. But it should not be taken lightly. Listening to the doctor’s advice, rationally assessing the risks of polyps, and promptly dealing with polyps that need to be removed is one of the most effective ways to prevent cancer!