Gallbladder Polyps: What Are They? The majority of gallbladder polyps are harmless — composed of cholesterol buildup, not cancer cells. But, gallbladder polyps may actually be small tumors — some of which may be cancerous while others are benign growths. These small growths can poke out from the inside of the gallbladder wall. When it comes to gallbladder polyps, size definitely matters: The larger the polyp, the greater the risk of gallbladder cancer. Polyps that are larger than 1 centimeter are most likely to be cancerous, while those smaller than that are unlikely to be — or to eventually become — cancerous. Gallbladder polyps may not cause any symptoms at all. But they may cause biliary colic (abdominal pain coming from the gallbladder). This type of pain is often caused by gallstones, but if they are not found, gallbladder polyps may be to blame. To get a good look at the gallbladder, an ultrasound is typically performed. Gallbladder polyps will usually be seen on an ultrasound, and their size (and how potentially dangerous they might be) can then be measured. Positron emission tomography (PET) or computed tomography (CT) scans can help evaluate the likelihood of cancerous cells in larger gallbladder polyps. These tests can both be used to monitor gallbladder polyps over time to spot any suspicious changes that could indicate gallbladder cancer. Gallbladder Polyps: Treatment So if it’s a harmless gallbladder polyp, what do you do about it? That’s a question that’s the subject of much research. The answer seems to have a lot to do with the size of the polyp and its likelihood of becoming cancerous. There are basically two options: Watch and wait, or undergo gallbladder removal surgery (cholecystectomy). Very small polyps, those less than 1 centimeter (or less than 1.5 cm, according to some studies) may not need gallbladder removal surgery, and instead can be regularly monitored by scanning and re-evaluated for any suspicious changes that could indicate gallbladder cancer. Polyps larger than 1 centimeter in size are more likely to become cancerous, especially those that are 1.5 centimeter across and larger — they have a 46 to 70 percent chance of containing cancer cells. Monitoring for gallbladder polyps less than 1.5 centimeter should occur every three to six months for up to two years, after which it can be stopped if there have been no changes in the polyps. It isn’t recommended that gallbladder polyps smaller than 0.5 centimeter across be treated by having the gallbladder removed. In gallbladder polyps that are that small, the risk of gallbladder cancer is extremely rare. Gallbladder polyps that appear cancerous can be treated by surgical removal of the gallbladder. For larger gallbladder polyps, cholecystectomy may also be recommended to prevent the development of gallbladder cancer. Deciding how to treat gallbladder polyps requires using thoughtful balance — weighing the potential risks of surgery against the potential risks of the development of gallbladder cancer. Paying attention to the overall cancer risk and considering careful monitoring of gallbladder polyps can be an effective treatment strategy to preserve your health.
