The gallbladder is a small organ found on the right side of your body, just under your liver.
The vast majority of gallbladder polyps are benign (noncancerous).
Only around 5% of them are malignant (cancerous) or precancerous.
Illustration by Julie Bang for Verywell Health
However, once diagnosed, it is important to follow your physician’s recommendations as far as management.
They typically form through cholesterolosis, the process by which cholesterol accumulates in the walls of the gallbladder.
Some are triggered by injuries that generate scar tissue.
Typically, the best technique for diagnosing gallbladder polyps is viaabdominal ultrasound.
What Size Qualifies for Removal?
Gallbladder removal is performed for many different reasons, including gallstones and cholecystitis.
The most common jot down of cholecystectomy is minimally invasive and involves onlylaparoscopicsurgery.
Understanding Cholecystectomy Risks
As with any surgery, there are risks associated with a cholecystectomy.
After your initial diagnosis, some polyps may prompt ongoing monitoring and follow-up.
Gallbladder polyps that are smaller than 5 mm across typically dont require follow-up.
If your polyps grow significantly in that time, a cholecystectomy may be recommended.
If they disappear or dont get any bigger, you may not need any more follow-up visits.
Theyre typically benign (noncancerous).
For most people, they dont cause symptoms.
Instead, theyre usually found incidentally via ultrasound.
In rare cases, gallbladder polyps may be malignant or precancerous.
If so, your healthcare provider might recommend a cholecystectomy surgery to remove the gallbladder.
Current guidelines recommend that gallbladder polyps that are 10 mm across or larger be surgically removed.
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