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.