Gallbladder polyps detected during physical examination? How should we deal with it?

Recently, many friends have anxiously asked me about gallbladder polyps after receiving their physical examination reports. Although everyone's situation is different, this topic is indeed worth our in-depth discussion. Today, I will answer this common health question in detail for everyone.

In short, gallbladder polyps are growths that grow from the inner wall of the gallbladder into the cavity. They have various shapes and may be spherical, hemispherical or papillary. From a pathological point of view, they include cholesterol polyps, inflammatory polyps and tumor polyps (the latter can be further divided into benign and malignant). Because it is difficult to determine their specific nature before surgery, we usually call them "gallbladder polyp-like lesions".

The good news is that most gallbladder polyps are benign and often have no obvious symptoms in the early stages. They are often discovered accidentally through ultrasound examinations during physical examinations. However, this does not mean that we can take it lightly. Because some people, especially those whose polyps have specific characteristics, may face changes in their condition in the future.

If your physical examination report shows gallbladder polyps and is accompanied by one of the following conditions, please pay attention:

The polyp is solitary and has a broad base : This polyp morphology may be more prone to adverse changes.

Diameter greater than 1 cm : Larger polyps have an increased risk of malignancy.

Polyps continue to grow : Multiple physical examinations show that polyps are gradually getting bigger, which is a sign that needs close attention.

Concomitant gallstones or gallbladder wall thickening : These coexisting conditions may further increase the complexity of polyps.

In any of the above situations, it is recommended that you bring your medical examination report to a regular hospital to consult a professional hepatobiliary surgeon. Depending on the specific situation, the doctor may arrange further examinations, such as CT or MRI, to clarify the nature of the polyp. If there is indeed a risk of malignancy and the conditions for surgery are met, laparoscopic cholecystectomy is generally recommended. During the operation, the doctor may decide whether a rapid pathological examination is needed based on the real-time situation and adjust the surgical plan accordingly.

For patients with gallbladder polyps that are only discovered incidentally, are asymptomatic, and do not meet the above malignant factors, regular observation is the key. Ultrasound examinations are recommended every 6 to 12 months to monitor changes in the size of the polyps.

In addition, I would like to emphasize that the occurrence of gallbladder polyps is closely related to our daily living habits. In order to prevent or slow down its development, we should strive to adjust our unhealthy lifestyles, such as:

Eat regularly, especially breakfast;

Reduce alcohol intake and avoid high-fat, high-cholesterol foods;

Stay away from overeating, have a moderate dinner and avoid being too full;

Maintain a positive and optimistic attitude and arrange work and rest reasonably;

Develop good work and rest habits and ensure adequate sleep.

Through scientific life management and timely medical intervention, we can better cope with the challenges brought by gallbladder polyps and protect our health.