Imagine that you went to see a doctor for some other stomach problem, perhaps the "gastritis" that we all have. The doctor listened to your symptoms and said, "Let's put a camera in and look inside your stomach." He did an endoscopy. After the examination, the doctor said, "There is something like a small tumor inside your stomach, that is, on the wall of your stomach. We call these polyps." It is very normal to feel scared and anxious when you hear something like this. "A tumor? Does that mean cancer?" You may think. But don't worry. Most of the time, these are not things to be afraid of. Today, we will talk about stomach polyps in a simple and clear way.
Simply put, what are stomach polyps?
Stomach polyps, or gastric polyps, are small growths that form on the lining of your stomach, like small tumors. Inside our stomachs, there is a thin membrane that has a mucus-like secretion. These polyps grow from this membrane. Imagine that sometimes we get little moles on our skin, right? This is something like that, but it grows inside the stomach.
Most of these polyps are non-cancerous (benign) , meaning they are harmless.
Are these polyps really dangerous? What about the risk of cancer?
This is the biggest question on everyone's mind. Here's something to keep in mind: The majority of stomach polyps are not cancerous. And the risk of them developing into cancer is very low.
However, some types of polyps are considered "precancerous." This means that they are not cancerous when your doctor finds them, but if they remain untreated for a long time, they may become cancerous after a few years.
It's like a piece of wood that's old and starting to rot. It's not completely rotted at that point, but if we don't fix it, it could one day completely rot. That's what these precancerous polyps are.
This is why doctors decide to remove these polyps as soon as they see them. Doing so can completely prevent any future risks.
What are the main types of stomach polyps?
There are different types of stomach polyps. Your doctor will take a small piece of your polyp and send it to the lab (we call this a biopsy ) to find out exactly what type it is. The type determines its risk and treatment. Let's take a brief look at these types.
| Polyp Type | Description and risk |
|---|---|
| Fundic gland polyps | These are the most common types. They usually have a very low risk of cancer. They can often be caused by long-term use of certain medications (PPIs) for gastritis. |
| Hyperplastic polyps | The second most common type. These are associated with inflammation of the stomach (gastritis). The risk of cancer in these is also very low . However, sometimes they can be a warning sign of another type of cancer, so doctors also examine the surrounding tissue. |
| Adenomatous polyps (adenomas) | These are the most common type of precancerous polyps . They occur in about 10% of cases. If a polyp of this type is found, the doctor will definitely remove it completely. |
| Other rare varieties | In addition to these, there are other rare types such as Gastric neuroendocrine tumors , Hamartomatous polyps , and Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) . The risks and treatments for these vary depending on the type. |
What are the symptoms of having polyps in the stomach?
The surprising thing here is that most stomach polyps don't cause any symptoms . Many people find out they have stomach polyps during an endoscopy done for another reason. Strictly speaking, these are incidental findings.
However, very rarely, some polyps can cause symptoms. There are two main ways:
1. Bleeding:
- Some polyps may bleed slightly from the surface. We may not feel this bleeding.
- But if you keep bleeding like this, the blood can come out with your stool. The blood coming from the stomach can make your stool black and tarry .
- When you bleed like this for a long time, your body can lose blood and become anemic . You may then feel pale, tired all the time, and experience symptoms such as dizziness even when climbing stairs .
2. Obstruction:
- Very rarely, if a polyp becomes very large, it can block the food pipe in the stomach.
- If this happens, you may experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite, and weight loss .
If you have these symptoms, it doesn't necessarily mean that you have a polyp. However, if you have these symptoms, it's best to see your doctor as soon as possible to find out the cause.
Why do these polyps form? What are the main causes?
Although it is difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of stomach polyps, researchers have identified several key risk factors.
- Chronic gastritis: Long-term inflammation of the stomach lining can cause changes in the cells and the formation of polyps. Gastritis, especially caused by a bacterial infection called H. pylori, is a major cause of this.
- Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs): These are the drugs we commonly use for gastritis, such as Omeprazole and Pantoprazole. When these drugs are used for a long time, they control the production of stomach acid, and in response, some cells can grow excessively and form polyps (often harmless fundic gland polyps). Talk to your doctor about this. We don't tell you to stop taking the medication, but he or she will change the dosage if necessary.
- Hereditary syndromes: Very rarely, some hereditary conditions (for example, Familial Adenomatous Polyposis - FAP) can cause a large number of polyps to form in the stomach and intestines.
How do doctors treat this?
When a polyp is found, the treatment depends on its type, size, and number.
1. Polyp removal (Polypectomy):
- In most cases, if the doctor sees a polyp during the endoscopy, he or she will use a special instrument to cut it out completely and remove it. This is called a polypectomy . You will not feel any pain during this procedure.
- Some deep or large polyps may require specialized procedures such as EMR or ESD to be removed. In rare cases, surgery may be necessary.
2. Follow-up Screenings:
- If you had a precancerous polyp, your doctor will likely tell you to go back for an endoscopy at a later date to check for new polyps.
- It is very important not to skip the tests according to the schedule your doctor gives you.
3. Treating the underlying cause:
- If the polyps are caused by an H. pylori infection, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics. Some types of polyps may go away on their own once the infection is cured.
- If the cause is thought to be a PPI medication, your doctor may decide to change the medication or reduce the dosage. Never stop taking a medication your doctor has prescribed on your own.
Finding a polyp is not something to be afraid of. It's like a little signal from your body. Your body is telling you, "Something is happening in my stomach, pay attention to it." The most important thing is to listen to that signal and follow your doctor's instructions.
What should I ask my doctor?
When you find out you have a polyp, it's normal to have a lot of questions. Don't hesitate to ask these questions when you go to see your doctor.
- "Doctor, what type of polyp do I have?"
- "Is there a risk of this causing cancer?"
- "Am I at higher risk of developing stomach cancer in the future than others?"
- "What could be causing these polyps?"
- "What changes should I make to my lifestyle and diet to prevent things like this from happening in the future?"
- "When should I have my next endoscopy?"
The answers to these questions will help you gain a clearer understanding of your situation.
Take-Home Message
- Stomach polyps are small growths that form on the inner wall of the stomach. Most of these are not cancerous and are harmless.
- Most of the time, these are discovered by chance, as they often cause no symptoms .
- Finding a polyp gives your doctor important information about your stomach health, which can help treat other underlying conditions, such as gastritis.
- If a type of cancer is found, removing it early can completely prevent future risk.
- Never skip your doctor's appointments, especially check-up appointments . It's very important for your long-term health.
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