The management of gastric polyps

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Surgical Oncology

Background:

• Gastric polyps are rare, with most patients asymptomatic or experiencing mild epigastric pain and bloating.
• Upper gastrointestinal studies detect gastric polyps in 85-90% of cases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the diagnostic and treatment strategies for gastric polyps.
• To identify features suggestive of malignancy in gastric polyps.

Main Methods:

• Review of diagnostic methods including upper gastrointestinal tract studies and endoscopy.
• Surgical interventions such as gastrotomy, wedge resection, and gastric resection.
• Endoscopic removal for selected pedunculated polyps.

Main Results:

• Adenomatous polyps >2 cm, especially if multiple, increase suspicion for carcinoma.
• Gastrotomy and polyp removal suffice for most cases.
• Gastric resection is indicated for invasive adenocarcinoma; wedge resection for carcinoma in situ.
• Endoscopic removal is suitable for selected small, pedunculated polyps.

Conclusions:

• Treatment of gastric polyps depends on size, type, and presence of malignancy.
• Endoscopic and surgical treatments have similar morbidity.
• High-risk patients require annual endoscopic surveillance and biopsy.