What are gallbladder polyps?
Gallbladder polyps are abnormal growths or protrusions that develop on the inner lining of the gallbladder. These polyps can vary in size and shape and may be single or multiple. While most gallbladder polyps are benign (non-cancerous) they can indicate another gallbladder condition. Some may have the potential to become cancerous over time. Therefore, proper evaluation and monitoring of gallbladder polyps are essential to ensure early detection and appropriate management.
What causes gallbladder polyps?
Gallbladder polyps can stem from various factors. True tumors, which are abnormal cell growths, have unknown causes. Cholesterol polyps and inflammatory polyps, on the other hand, are secondary to specific conditions.
Cholesterol polyps result from cholesterolosis, while inflammatory polyps are linked to cholecystitis. These types constitute the majority of gallbladder polyps.
What are symptoms of gallbladder polyps?
In many cases, gallbladder polyps do not cause symptoms and are incidentally detected during imaging studies performed for unrelated reasons.
However, larger polyps or those associated with complications may cause symptoms such as:
- Persistent or recurrent pain in the upper right abdomen, particularly after eating fatty or greasy foods.
- Feelings of nausea and vomiting may occur, especially if the polyp obstructs the bile ducts or causes inflammation.
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) may occur if the polyp obstructs the bile ducts, leading to bile accumulation.
What risk factors are associated with gallbladder polyps?
Several factors can increase the likelihood of developing gallbladder polyps:
- Presence of gallstones
- History of cholecystitis or cholangitis
- Hepatitis B infection
- Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) or Peutz-Jeghers
- Syndrome
- Elevated cholesterol levels
- Those over 50 years of age
How are gallbladder polyps diagnosed?
Diagnosing gallbladder polyps typically involves imaging studies such as abdominal ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI to visualize the gallbladder and detect any abnormalities.
How are gallbladder polyps treated?
Treatment for gallbladder polyps depends on various factors, including the size, number, and characteristics of the polyps, as well as the presence of symptoms.
Options may include:
- Small, asymptomatic gallbladder polyps may be monitored regularly with follow-up imaging studies to assess for any changes in size or appearance.
- If the polyps are large, growing, or associated with symptoms or concerns for malignancy, surgical removal of the gallbladder (cholecystectomy) may be recommended.
- In some cases, medications such as bile acid pills may be prescribed to dissolve cholesterol-based polyps over time.