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GALLBLADDER POLYPS

Cancer, Men's Health, Women's Health / By

GALLBLADDER POLYPS

Gallbladder polyps are growths protruding from the lining of the gallbladder.

  • Polyps can be cancerous, but they rarely are. About 95% of gallbladder polyps are benign
  • The size of a gallbladder polyp can help to predict whether it is cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous(benign)
  • Most polyps which are usually less than 1cm are unlikely to be cancerous and generally don’t require treatment. However, when small polyps occur with other conditions, such as primary sclerosing cholangitis they are less likely to be benign
  • Larger polyps (about 1cm in diameter) are more likely to be cancerous or turn into cancer over time, and those larger than 1.8cm in diameter may pose a higher risk of being malignant

CAUSES

The exact cause of the condition is not known, but there is a definite correlation with the presence of gallstones and increasing age.

SYMPTOMS

Most affected individuals do not have symptoms because most polyps do not cause noticeable symptoms.

In some cases, gallbladder polyps may detach and block the Hartmann’s pouch causing biliary pain. The detached polyps may also block the cystic duct and may cause cholecystitis. it may also block the main bile duct and may result in obstructive jaundice or pancreatitis.

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

Gallbladder polyps are usually found incidentally when examining the abdomen by ultrasound for other conditions, usually abdominal pain.

A combination of features seen on a CT scan and transabdominal ultrasound can provide the information needed to further manage an individual with gallbladder polyps

TREATMENT

Most polyps are benign and do not require any treatment.

For gallbladder polyps larger than 1cm, surgical removal of the gallbladder (cholecystectomy) is recommended, even if no symptoms clearly related to the polyps are present.

If gallbladder polyp is accompanied by gallstones, cholecystectomy may also be recommended, irrespective of the size of the polyps. This is due to the high incidence of malignant transformation of polyps associated with these conditions.