The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ that stores bile, which is essential for digesting fats, proteins, and carbohydrates, as well as aiding in the removal of metabolic waste and toxins from the body. Occasionally, polyps can form in the gallbladder, they are growths that protrude from inner lining of gallbladder.

Are gallbladder polyps dangerous, and is surgery needed to remove them? Let’s explore this topic further.

What Are Gallbladder Polyps?

Polyps are abnormal growths of tissue that can occur anywhere in the body, including small organs like the gallbladder. In the case of gallbladder polyps, these growths protrude from the inner mucosal layer of the organ.

Most gallbladder polyps are benign and do not cause any health issues. However, in some cases, polyps can become more problematic. Typically, these polyps are small, measuring less than 1 cm.

If the polyps grow larger than 1 cm, they can lead to complications, such as inflammation, and in rare cases, may develop into cancer.

Causes of Gallbladder Polyps

The exact cause of abnormal tissue growth in the gallbladder is unclear, particularly in polyps like adenoma, adenomyomatosis, or adenocarcinoma.

However, polyps such as cholesterol polyps and inflammatory polyps are not caused by abnormal tissue growth. Instead, they form due to the accumulation of cholesterol or salts. These two types of polyps are the most common and are usually harmless.

Symptoms of Gallbladder Polyps

Gallbladder polyps typically do not show any noticeable symptoms. However, in some cases, a polyp may obstruct one of the bile ducts, leading to inflammation of the gallbladder wall, also known as cholecystitis.

Symptoms of cholecystitis may include:

• Abdominal pain

• Fever

• Nausea and vomiting

• Jaundice

Should Gallbladder Polyps Be Removed?

Gallbladder polyps are often discovered incidentally during an abdominal ultrasound and usually don’t cause symptoms. While some types of polyps may resolve on their own, gallbladder polyps can grow larger and multiply over time.

If the examination shows that the polyp is benign, doctors typically recommend regular monitoring to ensure the condition remains stable.

If a polyp shows signs of complications, such as inflammation, the presence of gallstones, or a potential risk for cancer, surgery may be necessary to remove the gallbladder (cholecystectomy).

There are two types of surgical procedures for removing the gallbladder:

• Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A minimally invasive procedure where the gallbladder is removed through small incisions using a laparoscope. This method has fewer complications and a quicker recovery time.

• Open cholecystectomy: This procedure is used when the polyps are suspected to be cancerous. The surgeon removes the gallbladder along with any affected lymph nodes through a larger incision under the right rib. Recovery from this procedure takes longer, typically 6-8 weeks.

Polyps caused by cholesterol or salt deposits are usually harmless and don’t require special treatment. However, if there is a risk that the polyps could become cancerous, your doctor may recommend gallbladder removal.

If you have concerns about your health, consider consulting with a doctor. You can also use the consultation feature on the Ai Care app, available for download on the App Store or Play Store.

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