Long-term follow up of gallbladder polyps

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Surgical Oncology
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Gallbladder polyps (GBP) management is crucial for early gallbladder cancer (GBC) detection.
• Accurate risk stratification of GBPs is essential for appropriate patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the malignant potential of gallbladder polyps.
• To identify risk factors associated with neoplastic transformation in GBPs.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 1558 patients with diagnosed GBP was followed prospectively.
• Malignancy risk was assessed by the cumulative detection rate of neoplastic polyps (GBC and premalignant lesions).
• Risk factors including polyp size and presence of gallstones were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Neoplastic polyps were diagnosed in 2.1% of patients.
• Cumulative detection rates for neoplastic polyps were 1.7% at 1 year, 2.8% at 5 years, and 4% at 8 years.
• Polyp size ≥10 mm significantly increased malignancy risk (24.2-fold), but 45.5% of neoplastic polyps were <10 mm.
• Gallstones and increasing polyp size during follow-up were also identified as risk factors.

Conclusions:

• Gallbladder polyps, including small ones, carry a risk of malignancy.
• Long-term surveillance of GBP is vital for the early detection and treatment of gallbladder cancer.