Gallbladder Polyps

The gallbladder isn't ever given much thought until it starts to have problems, which we often referred to as a gallbladder attack. A gallbladder attack is when there are stones in the gallbladder and it causes severe pain. Another problem that the gallbladder can have is polyps, which are growths or lesions on the lining of the gallbladder. There are different types of polyps, but commonly they don't need to be treated. If the polyps become a problem or appear cancerous, they will need to be tested. Gallbladder surgery may be necessary to remove the gallbladder if there are gallbladder stones.

Gallbladder Polyps Risk Factors

Gallbladder polyps don't commonly have symptoms. When there are symptoms, it is often from gallbladder stones. The actually causes of polyps in the gallbladder isn't known for sure, but the risk factors are. Some known risk factors include the following:

Presence of gallstones
Advanced age
Gallbladder disease

Polypoid lesions, which are gallbladder polyps are often discovered when an abdominal ultra sound is done for other reasons. A true polyp is an abnormal accumulation of mucous membrane tissue. The tissue would normally be cast off, but instead builds up. The polyps in the gallbladder are rarely cancerous. There are different types of gallbladder polyps.

Types of Gallbladder Polyps

Polyps are either benign (not cancerous) or cancerous. Various conditions and diseases are associated with gallbladder polyps. Small polyps, which are 1cm or less, are not usually cancerous. It is common for a gallbladder with gallstones to have polyps.

One type of polyps is from primary scelosing cholangitis, a condition that causes damage to the bile ducts. Another type is Cholesterolosis, which is recognized by finger-like projections from excessive cholesterol and triglycerides in the lining of the gallbladder. When a gallbladder that has excessive wall thickness it is adenomyomatosis and there are polyps that develop associated with the disease.

Larger polyps have an increased risk of being cancerous. Adenocarcinoma is a cancer that affects glandular tissue, like that found in the gallbladder. It is not a common cancer.

Gallbladder Attacks and Polyps

Polyps do not cause gallbladder attacks. Commonly polyps don't have any symptoms. When there are gallbladder stones present, there will be symptoms of a gallbladder attack. When tests are done for the gallstones, polyps are often discovered.

The polyps won't need to be treated, but the gallstones will need to be. Symptoms of a gallbladder attack:

Stomach problems
Severe pain under right rib
Constipations
Flu like symptoms
Bitter fluid coming up after eating
Headache from lights
Indigestion
Pain and discomfort after eating fatty foods

Attacks can last from 15 minutes to 15 hours depending on the severity. Stones can be present for years before becoming large enough to cause symptoms.