Gastric polyps

A number of conditions manifests as gastric polyps. Their main importance is that they may actually represent early gastric cancer. Biopsy is essential.

The most common type of gastric polyp is metaplastic. These are associated with H. pylori infection and regress following eradication therapy. Inflammatory polyps are also common. Fundic gland polyps deserve particular attention. They seem to be associated with the use of proton pump inhibitors and are also found in patients with familial polyposis. None of the above polypoid lesions has proven malignant potential. True adenomas have malignant potential and should be removed, but account for only 10 per cent of polypoid lesions. Gastric carcinoids, arising from the ECL cells, are seen particularly in patients with pernicious anaemia, and usually appear as small polyps.