Gallbladder polyps are lumpy formations that mostly consist of cholesterol and are therefore harmless. Only some polyps pose a potential he alth risk when cancer can develop into them. Find out what are the causes and symptoms of gallbladder polyps and how they are being treated.

Gallbladder polypsare lumpy formations that form in the gallbladder. There are cholesterol polyps (they occur in 53-76% of all cases), inflammatory polyps (2-13% of cases), proliferative changes (7-20% of cases), and adenomas (2-27% of all polyps). Adenomas are polyps that originate in the mucosa and have the structure of an adenoma (lesions growing out of the glands). They are benign benign lesions, but they can easily develop into a malignant tumor - adenocarcinoma. The last group of polyps are cancers and other tumors (up to 22% of all polyps are recognized).

It is believed that 5 to 7 percent he althy people has a polypoid lesion in the gallbladder.Polyps of the gallbladderare more common in men than in women. Among the Chinese population, the prevalence of gallbladder polyps is 9.5%. higher than in the rest of the population.

Gallbladder polyps - causes and risk factors

The causes ofgallbladder polypsare unknown. However, much is known about the risk factors for their formation. One of them is the presence of gallstone disease (gallstone disease). Gallbladder polyps can also occur in people with congenital polyposis syndromes such as Peutz-Jeghers syndrome and Gardner syndrome. On the other hand, an analysis of risk factors for the development of gallbladder polyps in the Chinese population showed that chronic hepatitis B may contribute to their formation.

Attempts to identify risk factors for developmentgallbladder polypsshowed no correlation between polyp formation and age, gender, obesity or diabetes.

Polyps of the gallbladder - symptoms

Patients may occasionally complain of pain and discomfort located in the upper right side of the abdomen.In addition, nausea and vomiting may occur. However, in many casesgallbladder polypsshow no symptoms.

Polyps of the gallbladder - diagnosis

Ifpolyps of the gallbladderare suspected, an ultrasound scan is performed to determine the number of polyps, their location, size, and the shape of the gallbladder wall. However, they are most often detected accidentally during ultrasound of the abdominal cavity and pelvis.

Important

Polyps and gallbladder cancer

The risk of cancer in a polyp depends primarily on its size. Research shows that the likelihood of cancer is greatest in a polyp larger than 1 cm. It rarely (or not at all) occurs in polyps up to 1 cm in size. In addition, factors that increase the risk of cancer in a gallbladder polyp include: age (more than 50 years), the presence of a single polyp, a larger polyp, the presence of gallbladder stones, and a rapidly growing polyp.

Gallbladder polyps - treatment

Treatment depends primarily (but not only) on the size of the polyps. Small, asymptomatic polyps (up to 1 cm) should be monitored by frequent (every 6-12 months) ultrasound monitoring to check that they do not grow and become neoplastic. Observation is performed in most patients, when about 83 percent. gallbladder polyps usually have a diameter of up to 5 mm.

However, in some cases laparascopic cholecystectomy is necessary, i.e. excision of the gallbladder. It is performed when:

  • while observing, the so far small (up to 5 mm) polyp grows rapidly;
  • polyp gives symptoms (regardless of size);
  • single polyp is larger than 1 cm;
  • a single polyp is smaller than 1 cm, but there are risk factors for developing gallbladder cancer;

In the case of polyps larger than 20 mm, open cholecystectomy (surgical removal of the follicle) should be performed due to the high risk of cancer.

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Gallbladder polyps - an important diet

Diet withgallbladder polypsshould be easily digestible. People struggling with polyps of the gallbladder, first of all, should take care to limit the consumed fat, as well as its quality. Animal fats should be excluded from the menu - lard, lard, tallow, as well as fatty fish, cold cuts and confectionery. In addition, frying or stewing should be avoided. Due to the possibility of flatulence, it should be avoidedfoods that are high in fiber, such as legumes and cruciferous vegetables.

Category:

Gastrology