Table of contents:
- Definition of a gallbladder polyp
- How common is this condition?
- Signs and symptoms
- When to see a doctor?
- Causes of gallbladder polyps
- Diagnosis and treatment
- How is this condition diagnosed?
- What are the treatments for gallbladder polyps?
- Home remedies
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Definition of a gallbladder polyp
Gallbladder polyps are lumps on the inner lining of the gallbladder. These bumps are usually made up of cholesterol buildup and are harmless.
However, polyps can also be small tumors. Some are just benign growths, but in others they can also be cancerous, especially as they get bigger in size.
These polyps are generally detected via ultrasound. If they are larger than 1 cm, the polyp is likely cancerous and should be treated with a gallbladder removal procedure.
Pay attention to the risk of cancer to consider appropriate treatments to treat this condition appropriately. Prompt treatment and early diagnosis can help you deal with this disease.
How common is this condition?
This condition can occur in patients of any age. Gallbladder polyps can be treated by reducing risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.
Signs and symptoms
This disease may not cause any symptoms, but it can cause biliary colic. Biliary colic is stomach pain that originates from the gallbladder.
This type of pain is often caused by gallstones. However, if gallstones are not present, this condition may be due to gallbladder polyps.
There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.
When to see a doctor?
If you have any signs or symptoms above or any other questions, consult a doctor immediately.
Remember, each person's body is different, so the reaction to a disease can also be different. Do not hesitate to convey the complaints you feel to your doctor.
Causes of gallbladder polyps
The exact cause of this growth is still unknown. Chances are, the appearance of polyps is related to a person's metabolic system in digesting fat.
However, there are several factors that can make a person more prone to experiencing this condition. Some of them are older age and descendants of the family.
However, the relationship between polyps and family history of certain diseases still requires further study.
In addition, Ppsien with symptoms of inherited polyposis such as Peutz-Jeghers and Gardner syndrome can also experience this condition.
For more malignant polyps, the risk is higher in people who are over 60 years of age, have gallbladder stones, and have a condition called primary sclerosing cholangitis.
Diagnosis and treatment
How is this condition diagnosed?
In order to see the gallbladder clearly, the patient usually has to undergo an ultrasound. Ultrasound can show a picture of the patient's gallbladder condition.
how large the polyps are and their potential dangers can also be determined by ultrasound examination.
Another option is positron emission tomography (PET) or computed tomography (CT) scan. This test can help evaluate the likelihood of cancerous cells in larger polyps.
The test results can also be used to monitor the lump over time to see any changes that indicate gallbladder cancer.
What are the treatments for gallbladder polyps?
Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, about 95% of polyps are benign. One indication that indicates whether a polyp is cancerous or not is by looking at its size.
If the lump is less than 1 cm - 1.5 cm in size, then the patient may not need surgery to remove the gallbladder.
For these polyps, you must routinely check with your doctor every 3-6 months to 2 years. If after that the polyp has not changed, then routine checks can be stopped.
Meanwhile, if the diameter of the polyp is more than 1.5 cm, the polyp has a 46-70% chance of containing cancer cells.
Lumps that are suspected of being cancerous can be treated with surgical removal of the gallbladder. For larger polyps, a cholecystectomy may also be recommended to prevent the development of gallbladder cancer.
Determining how to treat gallbladder cancer requires consideration, calculating the potential risk of surgery versus the risk of developing gallbladder cancer.
Paying attention to the overall risk and considering close surveillance of polyps can be an effective treatment strategy for protecting your health.
Home remedies
Not only depend on treatment from a doctor, you also have to make efforts so that the condition you feel does not get worse.
Since most polyps are piles of cholesterol, one of the most important things to do is to take care of your diet.
Eat foods rich in fiber and healthy fats to prevent gallbladder stones. Avoid too many spicy foods for your gallbladder health.
Refined grains (found in cereals, white rice, bread and pasta) and sugar are associated with an increased risk of gallbladder disease.
On the other hand, whole grains such as brown rice and whole wheat bread, fat from fish and olive oil are recommended.
For further questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.