Histologic types and surveillance of gastric polyps: a seven year clinico-pathological study.
OBJECTIVE
This is a seven-year prospective study based on all gastroscopic examinations of our patient population in order to study gastric polyps.


METHODS
One hundred and twenty-one polyps, removed from 96 patients were analysed. All polyps, after endoscopic polypectomy, were classified according to their histotype. The follow-up was carried out in 49 patients for a mean time of 40 months.


RESULTS
Polypoid lesions were more frequent in females (57.3%) and they were preferentially located in antrum (60.3%). Hyperplastic and inflammatory polyps were 55.4% and 28.9%, respectively, while adenomatous lesions were 9.9%. Four fundic gland polyps, 1 carcinoid, 1 type I early gastric cancer and 1 pancreatic heterotopia were also found. During the follow-up no malignant lesion was encountered. On the other hand 25 benign polyps were found in 19 patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Our experience confirms that there is a close relationship between the size of the polyps and the neoplastic change. In fact, in our series all polyps were smaller than 2 cm and only one malignancy was found (an early gastric cancer). None of adenomatous polyps was associated with gastric adenocarcinoma. Our data also indicates that when a polypectomy is carried out for small polyps (smaller than 2 cm.) a strict follow-up is necessary for the neoplastic polyps only.
Papa
A
A
Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Rome, Italy.
Cammarota
G
G
Tursi
A
A
Montalto
M
M
Cuoco
L
L
Certo
M
M
Fedeli
G
G
Gasbarrini
G
G
D018256:Adenomatous Polyps / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005773:Gastroscopy; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D008297:Male; D011127:Polyps / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013270:Stomach / Q000473:pathology*; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D013997:Time Factors