4 common types of gallbladder polyps

Gallbladder polyps include many types such as cholesterol polyps, inflammatory polyps, and adenomatous polyps, each with different shapes, sizes, and risks of malignancy.

Gallbladder polyps are abnormal growths of tissue that protrude from the inner lining of the gallbladder, often discovered incidentally during routine abdominal ultrasound or gallbladder removal surgery to treat stones.

Master, Doctor, CKII Tran Hieu Nhan, Center for Endoscopy and Endoscopic Surgery of the Digestive System, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, said that most gallbladder polyps are benign, rarely leaving complications or infections, only about 5% progress to cancer. Gallbladder polyps are classified into the following 4 types.

Cholesterol polyps

Cholesterol polyps account for 60-90% of detected gallbladder polyps, according to Dr. Nhan. The polyps are smaller than 0.1 cm in size, often appear in large numbers, and have a low risk of malignancy.

Inflammatory polyps

Inflammatory polyps are uncommon, accounting for about 10% of gallbladder polyps. This type results from granulation tissue and fibrosis secondary to chronic inflammation. Inflammatory polyps are usually less than 0.1 cm in size and rarely progress to malignancy.

Doctor Hieu Nhan re-examined the patient in November 2023. Photo: Tam Anh Hospital

Adenomatous polyps

Adenomatous polyps are benign but also have the risk of malignant progression. The lesions often exist in a single form, pedunculated or sessile, 0.5-2 cm in size, and may be associated with gallstones or chronic cholecystitis.

Adenomatous polyps are most often discovered incidentally in cholecystectomy specimens or during preoperative imaging studies. Histologically, adenomatous polyps are usually tubular or papillary in shape.

Adenomatous hypertrophic polyps

This type of polyp forms inside the gallbladder without inflammation, mainly occurring in middle age, the incidence increases with age. Adenomatous polyps are precancerous lesions.

Gallbladder polyps come in many forms, but most are not worrisome. If the diagnosis shows abnormal polyp growth, with a high risk of developing into cancer, the doctor will recommend gallbladder removal.

Gallbladder polyps can progress to cancer, causing severe abdominal pain. Photo: Freepik

Doctor Nhan noted that gallbladder polyps cannot disappear on their own, but on the contrary, they are at risk of increasing in size and number over time. Most cases have no obvious symptoms, only when the polyps block the bile ducts leading to inflammation and pain. Currently, medicine still has no way to remove polyps except surgical removal.

Most gallbladder polyps are benign but can still develop into malignant tumors. Early detection and treatment are very important. Doctors recommend that everyone should take the initiative to have regular health check-ups.

Le Thuy

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