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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffStomach polyps form in response to inflammation or other damage to the lining of the stomach.
Types of stomach polyps
The most common types of stomach polyps are:
- Hyperplastic polyps. Hyperplastic polyps form as a reaction to chronic inflammation in the cells that line the inside of the stomach. Hyperplastic polyps are most common in people with stomach inflammation (gastritis), which has many causes. Most hyperplastic polyps are unlikely to become stomach cancer. But larger hyperplastic polyps, such as those larger than about 3/4 inch (2 centimeters) in diameter, have a greater risk of becoming cancerous.
- Fundic gland polyps. Fundic gland polyps form from the glandular cells that are found on the inside lining of the stomach. Fundic gland polyps occur in people with an inherited colon cancer syndrome called familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), but they can also occur in people who don't have this inherited syndrome. Most fundic gland polyps are unlikely to become stomach cancer, except for those that occur in people with FAP.
- Adenomas. Adenomas form from the glandular cells found on the inside lining of the stomach. But when adenomas form, their cells develop errors in their DNA. These changes make the cells vulnerable to becoming cancerous. Though adenomas are the least common type of stomach polyp, they are the most likely type to become stomach cancer. Adenomas are associated with stomach inflammation and FAP.
References
- Turner JR. The gastrointestinal tract. In: Kumar V, et al. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/206776626-4/0/2060/0.html. Accessed June 22, 2010.
- Abrams JA, et al. Adenocarcinoma and other tumors of the stomach. In: Feldman M, et al. Sleisinger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/linkTo?type=bookHome&isbn=978-1-4160-6189-2&eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6189-2..X0001-7--TOP&uniq=200844987-3. Accessed June 22, 2010.
- Mahachai V, et al. Gastric polyps. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 22, 2010.
- Park DY, et al. Gastric polyps: Classification and management. Archives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. 2008;132:633.
- H. pylori and peptic ulcers. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hpylori/index.htm. Accessed June 25, 2010.
- Heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and gastroesophageal reflux disease. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/gerd/index.htm. Accessed June 25, 2010.
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