Gastric polyps: a retrospective analysis of 26,000 digestive endoscopies.
BACKGROUND
Gastric polyps are small gastric lesions, asymptomatic in most cases and are generally discovered inadvertently during upper digestive endoscopy.


OBJECTIVE
To retrospectively review the characteristics and frequency of gastric polyps, derived from the gastric mucosal epithelium in a large series of endoscopies.


METHODS
One hundred and fifty three patients in a series of 26,000 consecutive upper digestive endoscopies done over a 5-year period, being that each patient had only one examination were analyzed and their histological and Yamada classification, as well as their location, size, histopathological findings and treatment studied. All patients had at least one gastric polyp, as confirmed by histological examination.


RESULTS
The polyps were classified as hyperplastic, adenomatous and fundic gland polyps. The most of them measure less than 1 cm (hyperplastic polyps - 60,5%; adenomatous polyps - 73,6%; fundic gland polyps - 72%). Hyperplastic polyps were the most frequent and accounted for 71.3% of the cases, whereas fundic gland polyps accounted for 16.3% and adenomatous polyps for 12.4%. Hyperplastic and adenomatous polyps were primarily single, whereas fundic gland polyps tended to be multiple. A carcinoma was detected in one hyperplastic polyp (0.9%) and in two adenomatous polyps (10.5%). High grade dysplastic foci were found in four adenomatous polyps (21%).


CONCLUSIONS
The digestive endoscopy is the safest and efficient method for the diagnosis of the gastric polyps, that in most of the patients does not show characteristic symptoms. The histopathological definition is not possible to the endoscopic glance being needed the pathologist's aid, once the conduct to be adopted will depend on the result of the biopsy.
Morais
Drausio Jefferson
DJ
Division of Gastroenterology, Gastrocenter, Medical School, State University of Campinas, SP, Brasil. drausiomorais@yahoo.com.br
Yamanaka
Ademar
A
Zeitune
José Murilo Robilotta
JM
Andreollo
Nelson Adami
NA
D018256:Adenomatous Polyps / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005748:Gastric Fundus; D005773:Gastroscopy; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011127:Polyps / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013272:Stomach Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery