Everything About Gallbladder Polyps: How Concerned Should You Be?
Gallbladder polyps are defined as unusual tissue growth on the lining inside the gallbladder. This condition is observed in 4–7% of people around the world. Fortunately, 95% of gallbladder polyps are benign (non-cancerous) and harmless; the other 5% can become malignant (cancerous) and could be dangerous. In most cases, polyps are asymptomatic and often diagnosed by doctors randomly during ultrasounds performed for other health problems.
However, depending on the size, shape, and severity of the symptoms, it is determined whether or not the condition is dangerous. Polyps that are smaller (<1 cm in diameter) and asymptomatic; treatment might not be necessary.
Taking the insights from top laparoscopic and bariatric surgeon, Dr. Venugopal Pareek, we have incorporated everything you need to know about gallbladder polyps in this blog.
Gallbladder
The gallbladder is a small organ that is located below the liver. The primary purpose of this organ is to store bile fluid, which is produced by the liver. This bile fluid plays a major role in digesting the fats we consume. When you consume food with fats, the gallbladder will release this bile fluid into the bile duct, which travels into the small intestine to help with digestion.
The gallbladder is prone to many health conditions, such as gallstones, cholecystitis, gallbladder polyps, etc.
Gallbladder Polyps
A polyp can be explained as a protrusion (abnormal mass of cells) observed on the lining of a concerned organ. In this case, it is observed on the inner lining of the gallbladder. Polyps might look like a grape with a narrow stalk or a carpet pile with many fine projections.
Other than the gallbladder, these polyps are observed in the cervix and small intestine and have mucous membranes. The colon, stomach, nose, sinus(es), urinary bladder, and uterus are other organs where these polyps are commonly seen.
Types of Gallbladder Polyps
Gallbladder polyps are mainly categorised into the following types:
Pseudopolyps
These are also called cholesterol polyps and are noncancerous. Around 60–90% of all gallbladder polyps cases are pseudopolyps.
These types of polyps are formed by deposits of cholesterol caused by cholesterosis. Pseudopolyps might indicate the presence of chronic cholecystitis, an underlying gallbladder disease caused when the gallbladder fails to empty.
Inflammatory polyps
These types of polyps are caused due to inflammation in the wall of the gallbladder and are accountable for 5–10% of all gallbladder polyps cases.
These types of polyps are observed in people who’ve had conditions like cholecystitis more than once and people with acute biliary colic.
Gallbladder cancer and inflammatory polyps are not linked.
True gallbladder polyps
It is also called neoplastic polyps, which are rare and can become cancerous. Typically, these types of polyps vary in size between 5 and 20 mm. Any polyps that are larger than 1 cm have a higher chance of becoming malignant (cancerous).
Doctors suggest removing the gallbladder if the polyps are large.
Symptoms of polyps
In most cases, gallbladder polyps are asymptomatic and are diagnosed unexpectedly on ultrasound or CT scans done for other conditions.
However, in severe cases, people may experience symptoms like -Abdominal pain, particularly in the upper right side, bloating, nausea and allergies to certain foods
Causes and risk factors of gallbladder polyps
Higher concentrations of cholesterol or salts in the bile fluid increase the risk of developing polyps in the gallbladder. Experts say that gallbladder polyps and gallstone formation are interlinked. In many people, both conditions are observed simultaneously.
The risk of developing true gallbladder polyps might increase with the following conditions:
- Inherited conditions like familial polyposis
- Genetic conditions like Peutz-Jeghers syndrome
- Gardner syndrome
- Viral infections like hepatitis B
Gallbladder polyps treatment
Small and asymptomatic pseudopolyps and inflammatory polyps might not need medical attention.
However, if you have gallbladder polyps, doctors monitor them regularly with the help of ultrasound scans. After the initial discovery of the polyp, doctors schedule scans every 6 months, and then thereafter they will shift the scans to yearly intervals.
If the polyp grows very large (1 to 2 mm or more), you may need to undergo cholecystectomy, a surgical procedure that involves removing the gallbladder.
Open cholecystectomy
This is the traditional procedure where the surgeon removes the entire gallbladder by making a large incision under the rib cage to the right side.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy
This is an advanced surgical procedure where the surgeon makes a few small incisions in the abdomen to remove the gallbladder.
Though gallbladder surgery provides positive results, in rare cases, patients may very rarely experience complications like bile duct injuries, bleeding, and abscesses under the liver.
Mostly, you need not be concerned about gallbladder polyps; they are harmless. But you need to be concerned if the polyps are larger or symptomatic. Take proactive measures to maintain good health.
If you are concerned about any type of gallbladder polyps, consult Dr. Venugopal Pareek, one of the best laparoscopic surgeons in Hyderabad, for advice and personalized treatment. Call +91 91777 77715 today for appointments!
