Polyps in the gallbladder - a phenomenon although almost painless, but very insidious. After all, the presence of polyps can lead to the removal of the bladder, or, even worse, to the degeneration of the polyp from benign to malignant formation.
Causes of polyps
The polyp of the gallbladder is characterized as a benign growth of the gallbladder mucosa. In modern medicine there is no definition of a single cause of polyps. Most often, doctors call such causes as a violation of the exchange of cholesterol and lipids, due to excessive consumption of fried and too fatty food, and heredity. Polyps can also appear on the background:
- chronic inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis);
- cholelithiasis ;
- hepatitis of different etiology;
- dyskinesia of bile ducts , etc.
Depending on the structure, these types of polyps of the gallbladder are distinguished:
- Cholesterol polyps are hyperplasia of the mucous membrane of the gallbladder with cholesterol deposits. This is the most common type of polyps.
- Inflammatory polyps - inflammatory reaction of the mucous membrane of the gallbladder in the form of growth granulation tissue.
- Adenomatous polyps are benign tumors in the form of polypoid growth of glandular tissue.
- Papilloma is a benign tumor of the mucous membrane of the gallbladder in the form of nipple-like growths.
Polyps can be single or multiple. Multiple polyps of the gallbladder are called polyposis.
Polyps in the gallbladder - symptoms
The formation of polyps is practically not accompanied by any pain sensations or other discomfort for a person. Very rarely separated part of the tumor enters the bile duct and leads to gallstone colic. In the case of the formation of a polyp in the neck of the gallbladder, as a result of which bile flow outflow is difficult, dull pain in the right hypochondrium can arise, especially after eating.
Absence of severe symptoms of polyps in the gallbladder determines the severity of possible complications arising at advanced stages of the disease. The main threat to the body is the ability of the polyp of the gallbladder from benign formations to degenerate into malignant ones. According to statistics, the percentage of such degeneration (malignization) is from 10 to 33%.
Diagnosis of polyps
Due to the fact that polyps in the gallbladder almost do not cause pain in a person, they are usually detected accidentally at the ultrasound of the abdominal cavity. To clarify the diagnosis and more carefully examine the polyps in the gallbladder, especially when complications arise, use computer tomography, endoscopic retrograde pancreatocholangiography, endoscopic fibrogastroduodenoscopy, etc.
Treatment of the disease
If the patient does not have any diseases associated with the gallbladder, in addition to the presence of polyps in it, the following aspects should be clarified:
- whether the polyps are numerous;
- Does the size of the polyps exceed 1 cm in diameter?
- whether the polyps are rapidly increasing in size (polyp increases over a year by more than 2 mm);
- polyps in the gallbladder bring pain to a person.
If there is at least one of these symptoms, doctors can decide to remove the gallbladder surgically.
Prevention of occurrence
Specific methods of prevention do not exist. But in the presence of polyps in the gallbladder, it is advisable to observe the correct diet. Food should be fresh, balanced and rich in useful substances. It is important to include in your diet a lot of quality vegetables and fruits. Regular sports are also useful.
Remember, polyps in the gallbladder are a high risk of cancer. Regular and high-quality ultrasound diagnosis of the abdominal cavity will help you avoid all the severe consequences of the presence of these formations.