Doctor, do I need to remove polyps even if they are not cancerous?

I have good news for you and bad news for you

Bad News: You Have Polyps

Good news: benign

What are polyps?

Polyps are abnormal growths protruding from the mucosal surface. Before their pathological nature is determined, they are collectively referred to as polyps. These "little meat balls" may be found in any mucosal area of ​​the human body, such as the gastrointestinal tract, nasal cavity, endometrium, anus, gallbladder, etc.

According to the different pathological types of polyps, they are divided into inflammatory, hyperplastic, adenomatous, etc. Inflammatory polyps and hyperplastic polyps are benign lesions, while adenomatous polyps may develop into tumors if left unchecked.

In this case, the rate of polyp becoming cancerous is almost 100%!

In fact, most polyps are benign. Even for adenomatous polyps, it takes 5-10 years to develop into cancer, so there is no need to panic.

People with familial polyposis must be highly vigilant about gastrointestinal polyps, because their polyp canceration rate is almost 100%.

If polyps are found, various examinations are required. For example, digestive tract polyps can be examined by gastroenteroscopy, endometrial polyps can be examined by hysteroscopy, and gallbladder polyps can be examined by ultrasound. After polyps are found, you can decide whether to remove them according to the doctor's advice.

There is a possibility of recurrence after polyp removal, so regular check-ups should be performed according to the doctor's advice!

Under what circumstances may polyps need to be removed?

In life, there are three common types of polyps, which often grow "silently" and cause some discomfort in a few people. As we mentioned earlier, whether to remove polyps needs to be decided based on the doctor's advice, but the following knowledge points can also serve as a reference for everyone.

1. Colon polyps:

Which ones are more likely to become cancerous?

90% of colorectal cancers are caused by the malignant transformation of intestinal polyps, which requires our high attention. Tumor polyps in the colon include tubular, villous and mixed adenomas, sessile serrated lesions and other types, all of which have the risk of canceration. Among them, polyps with villous components have a higher chance of canceration, which can reach 30%.

Multiple polyps are more dangerous than single polyps, and familial polyposis has an extremely high risk of cancer.

Which ones require surgery?

Generally speaking, inflammatory and hyperplastic polyps that occur in the rectum and sigmoid colon and are less than 0.5 cm in diameter have a very low rate of canceration and do not need to be removed. Follow-up observation is sufficient. For other colorectal polyps, endoscopic removal and full tumor biopsy are recommended as soon as they are discovered.

2. Gastric polyps:

Which ones are more likely to become cancerous?

Most gastric polyps are hyperplastic polyps, with fundic glandular polyps being the majority. The rate of canceration of this type of polyp is extremely low and usually only requires follow-up observation.

If adenomatous polyps are found, which are polyps with a high risk of becoming cancerous, you need to go to the hospital for treatment in time.

Which ones require surgery?

Single + hyperplastic polyp with a diameter less than 1 cm = can be temporarily observed (but if infected with Helicobacter pylori at the same time, timely treatment is required.)

Gastric polyps with a diameter ≥1cm, regardless of their type, may have an increased risk of cancer and need to be removed promptly.

If there are a large number of gastric polyps with different shapes, they need to be evaluated one by one by a professional endoscopist. Endoscopic resection is recommended for high-risk types. If it is an adenomatous polyp, it is recommended to be removed as soon as possible after discovery, regardless of size.

3. Gallbladder polyps:

The vast majority of gallbladder polyps are benign with a low risk of cancer and can be checked with regular abdominal ultrasounds.

If the polyp is smaller than 1 cm, you can review it after six months. If there is no obvious change in the polyp, you do not need to remove it for the time being and continue to observe.

It is currently recognized in medicine that patients with gallbladder polyps do not need oral medications, but if any of the following conditions are met, it is recommended to undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy as soon as possible!

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(1) The maximum diameter is ≥ 1 cm, especially for single polyps;

(2) If the maximum diameter is less than 1 cm, but there are symptoms such as right upper abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, radiating pain in the shoulder and back, or if the polyp grows rapidly in a short period of time, a specialist will recommend gallbladder removal after evaluation;

(3) Gallbladder polyps combined with gallbladder stones;

(4) Aged 50 or above.