Do gallbladder polyps go away on their own? When to have surgery?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by a Gastroenterologist, Department of Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.
Gallbladder polyps are the predominant disease in adults, with a higher prevalence in women than in men. Most cases of gallbladder polyps have no specific symptoms, so many patients are worried whether gallbladder polyps will go away on their own and when should surgery be needed?

1. Overview of gallbladder polyps

1.1. Definition Gallbladder polyp is a tumor-like lesion or pseudotumor that develops on the surface of the gallbladder mucosa, is an organizational form arising from the gallbladder wall and protrudes into the gallbladder lumen. Gallbladder polyps of all ages can occur, but mainly in adults. Some authors say they are common in women aged 30 - 50.
Most cases of gallbladder polyps have no symptoms, Therefore, it is often discovered by chance through general examination or examination of certain diseases with ultrasound of the liver and biliary tract.
The rate of gallbladder polyps with symptoms only accounts for 6-7% and is common in people with large polyps. The most common symptoms are pain, mild cramping in the right lower quadrant or epigastric pain accompanied by nausea or vomiting, a few are flatulence, abdominal distention, slow digestion. However, gallbladder polyps rarely present with acute symptoms such as gallstones or cholangitis (pain, fever, jaundice). The symptoms of gallbladder polyps are quite similar to those of gallstones, chronic gallstones, or gastroduodenal disease.

1.2. Causes There are many factors that are believed to be related to the formation of gallbladder polyps such as poor liver function, blood sugar levels, high blood fat, obesity, irregular eating habits, inflammatory viral infections. liver... But in fact, no studies have confirmed the exact cause of gallbladder polyp formation.
1.3. Clinical symptoms The number and size of gallbladder polyps are also quite diverse, but the most common is a polyp in the gallbladder with a size of less than 10 mm. In particular, there are also some cases where the patient may have many polyps in the gallbladder or the polyp size is up to 20-40 mm, or have both polyps and gallstones. Most cases of gallbladder polyps have no symptoms and are discovered incidentally during a routine physical exam or for other reasons. Only about 6-7% of patients with gallbladder polyps have symptoms, the most common is pain under the right flank or pain above the navel, a few have nausea - vomiting, slow digestion and contractions. mild stiffness in the right lower quadrant.
1.4. Diagnosis To diagnose gallbladder polyps, supportive laboratory and laboratory tests are required (hepatobiliary function tests, biopsies, endoscopic ultrasonography, gastroduodenal endoscopy, microscopic tomography) calculation, magnetic resonance imaging, etc.). In which diagnostic ultrasound is a technique of great value in the diagnosis of gallbladder polyps. However, ultrasound cannot distinguish benign or malignant polyps to indicate surgical treatment. Therefore, it is necessary to rely on many different techniques to support the diagnosis.

2. Will gallbladder polyps go away on their own?

95% of gallbladder polyps are benign (non-cancerous) in nature, so the patient does not need the intervention of cholecystectomy, completely can live peacefully with gallbladder polyps. However, patients need to be examined periodically for follow-up.
With polyps with large size, spreading legs, fast growth or many polyps, it is advisable to follow the doctor's advice on whether to remove it or not, because if not removed, it can become malignant tumor. cancer). According to domestic and foreign studies, gallbladder polyps, if identified on ultrasound, are less than 10mm in size, most of which are benign. In addition, the images suggest malignancy when the polyp has spreading legs, irregular shape, and rapid growth. At that time, surgical intervention is indicated to remove the gallbladder.

3. When is gallbladder polyp surgery needed?

Because there can't be a probe to accurately diagnose the nature of gallbladder polyps without surgical intervention, doctors have agreed on a treatment protocol for gallbladder polyps as follows:
A wide-legged polyp (sessile polyp). Large polyp size (more than 10 mm). Polyps are small in size, but grow in large clusters in the gallbladder (polyposis). Polyps grow abnormally fast, easily spreading or increasing in number and size in a short time. Polyps develop in people over the age of 50. Polyps are symptomatic and cause frequent cholecystitis. Polyps in people with primary sclerosing cholangitis or gallstones. Today, with the development of laparoscopic surgery, laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the gold standard for the treatment of gallbladder stones or polyps. It is a minimally invasive, painless operation, and patients recover quickly, with few complications if surgery. experienced technician.
With fake polyps, just apply a reduced-fat diet, limit eating fat, animal viscera, shrimp, red meat (dog, beef, buffalo). In case the gallbladder has been removed, it is necessary to pay attention to follow an easy-to-digest diet and have regular medical examinations to be carefully monitored.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.