[Regression of stomach polyps--spontaneous or induced?]

In an endoscopic follow-up study of gastric polyps we examined their spontaneous disappearance, and the reaction of the rest of polyps after polypectomy. We found spontaneous disappearance in 28 (12.4%) out of 226 patients with gastric polyps. 19 patients showed complete absence of polyps in the later follow-up. Spontaneous disappearance was found in a great number of cases without biopsy of the polyps themselves (16 patients). In the cases of known histology there were predominantly inflammatory, benign polyps (16 out of 18 patients). From among 206 endoscopic polypectomies evident residual tissue was left behind in 19 (9.2%) cases. However, only one premalignant and one malignant residual part of polyp could be diagnosed. In the case of malignant degeneration (early cancer) there was successful treatment by means of 4/5 gastric resection.