KTPH Hepato–Pancreato–Biliary Surgery Service (HPB)

Gallbladder Polyps

Gallbladder polyps are growths that bulge from the inner surface of the gallbladder wall. Some are formed by cholesterol deposits in the wall, but others are small tumors (can be cancerous or not cancerous) or caused by cholesterol crystals or inflammation.

Most gallbladder polyps are not cancerous but polyps larger than 1cm, or polyps without a stalk (sessile), >6mm in size, and located on the liver bed surface carry a higher risk.

For medically fit patients patients with both polyps and gallbladder symptoms, the recommendation is to advise removal of the gallbladder by cholecystectomy.

High-Risk Gallbladder Polyps and Gallbladder Carcinoma

High-risk polyps may require additional removal of a cuff of liver bed tissue, lymph node sampling and pathology testing.

If there is a suspicion of a cancerous gallbladder tumour, additional imaging will be needed to assess for invasion and to determine the extent of spread in order to plan the appropriate treatment.