Stomach polyps

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Introduction Signs and symptoms Causes

Risk factors Screening and diagnosis Treatment

Introduction

Stomach polyps are rare, occurring in less than 1 percent of people undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy — a procedure in which the lining of the stomach is examined. Stomach polyps usually don't cause symptoms. As a result, doctors often discover stomach polyps only while they're examining you for other reasons.

The three most common types of stomach polyps are:

• Hyperplastic stomach polyps. Hyperplastic stomach polyps account for more than half of all diagnosed stomach polyps. Hyperplastic polyps are usually less than a centimeter in size, but may grow much larger. These polyps develop into cancer in less than 3 percent of cases. The risk of cancer is highest in polyps greater than 2 centimeters in size. Hyperplastic polyps are associated with a condition called gastritis, which is inflammation of the stomach lining.
• Fundic gland stomach polyps. Doctors recognize that these polyps, found in the top portion of the stomach (fundus), are more common than once thought. They were previously often misidentified or simply overlooked. Fundic gland stomach polyps are less of a concern because they don't turn into cancer, except rarely in people with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) syndrome. Fundic gland polyps have also been associated with long-term use of the drug omeprazole (Prilosec) — which is used to treat ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and infections of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria in the stomach.
• Adenomas. These growths arise from the stomach's glandular tissue and account for only about 10 percent of stomach polyps, but they present a greatest health concern. These polyps can become cancerous, especially when they grow larger than 2 centimeters. These polyps are also more common in people with stomach inflammation (gastritis). Adenomas need to be removed. Removal is usually done by endoscopy, although surgery is sometimes necessary.

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Signs and symptoms