The impact of negative environmental factors and a hereditary predisposition can lead to the appearance of pathologies in various parts of the digestive system. For example, polyps in the esophagus. On the one hand, this is a rather rare occurrence. However, it may indicate serious abnormalities in the gastrointestinal tract. Of all the types of neoplasms, adenomatous polyps are considered the most dangerous . Sometimes they become malignant and transform into cancer. Therefore, everyone should know about the main symptoms of this pathology and existing methods of treatment.
The specifics of the disease
The esophagus polyp is a very rare neoplasm of a benign nature. It consists mainly of epithelial cells. The polyp is formed due to the growth of the epithelial layer of the esophagus wall and hangs from it. It has a leg and a wide base.
Representatives of the stronger sex are more susceptible to the disease, whose age varies from 35 to 70 years. It is characterized by an almost asymptomatic course. Therefore, patients seek help too late when treatment is already ineffective.
Varieties and characteristics of formations
This pathology is classified in medical practice by origin. The following types of neoplasms are distinguished:
- Hyperplastic. They are formed due to the growth of normal, healthy tissue. Hyperplastic polyps have practically no tendency to malignancy. Most often they are diagnosed in people who neglect proper nutrition, prefer fast food and addictions.
- Neoplastic. Develop from abnormal cells. This type of neoplasm can have both benign and malignant nature.
- Inflammatory They are localized directly in the focus of inflammation, where the integrity of the tissues of the organ is violated.
Polyps are harmless as long as they are small in size and few in number. However, such growths can be multiple and spread to neighboring organs. This phenomenon is called polyposis.
Causes of occurrence
The reasons for the formation of polyps are quite diverse. Basically, they have one direction - the inflammatory process. Despite the seeming harmlessness and blurred clinical picture, neoplasms can significantly impair the quality of human life.
Among the main causes that contribute to the onset of the disease, doctors call the following:
- inflammatory processes in the stomach, characterized by a chronic course;
- esophagitis gastritis;
- microtrauma of the walls of the stomach resulting from the use of excessively rough or hot food;
- incorrect operation of the sphincter, provoking the reverse casting of bile;
- stress and nervous experiences;
- inactive lifestyle.
The exact causes of polyps in the esophagus remain poorly understood. However, the above factors have a direct impact on the process of the appearance of neoplasms in the gastrointestinal tract.
First symptoms
The clinical picture of the pathology is determined by the number, location and degree of proliferation of polyps inside the organ cavity. Symptoms do not always appear immediately. They can also be intermittent and paroxysmal. The main manifestations of the disease are as follows:
- pain when swallowing;
- sensation of “coma” in the throat;
- loss of appetite;
- feeling of nausea;
- weight loss;
- rare bouts of vomiting;
- discomfort in the chest.
The presence of small single formations is not accompanied by obvious symptoms. Usually they are discovered by chance during an endoscopic examination of the upper digestive system and if other ailments are suspected (esophagitis, peptic ulcer disease, etc.).
Diagnostic Methods
Before starting treatment of polyps in the esophagus, the patient must undergo a detailed examination. A gastroenterologist is involved in this pathology. It is to this specialist that you need to seek help with discomfort in the chest area and a feeling of “coma” in the throat.
Diagnosis begins with an examination of the patient and the study of his complaints. To obtain a complete clinical picture, the doctor needs a patient history. In most cases, even at this stage, the doctor may suspect neoplasms in the gastrointestinal tract and select further treatment tactics.
Additional methods for examining the esophagus are: chest x-ray and endoscopy. It is on the basis of the obtained images that the doctor can confidently say in which part of the esophagus polyps are localized, whether the existing symptoms are dangerous. Endoscopic examination allows you to assess the condition of the mucosa and determine the presence of damage, neoplasms. A biopsy is also performed during this diagnostic step. Studying the material obtained in the laboratory helps to identify malignant elements.
Therapy Features
How to treat esophageal polyps? This is the question that arises in patients after confirming the diagnosis. The main treatment method is the surgical removal of tumors. Therapeutic methods of exposure are not effective. In most cases, they only delay surgery, which can lead to negative consequences.
Operation
Removal of esophageal polyps is carried out endoscopically. Typically, an electric loop is used during the procedure. With its help, the doctor can remove the neoplasm itself and prevent bleeding from the vessels of the leg of the growth. This technique is especially effective for small growths.
During the operation, the doctor has the opportunity to monitor its implementation on the computer screen. This approach allows you to minimize the risk of trauma to other parts of the esophagus. The mucosal defect formed after the intervention regenerates within 1-2 weeks, while the likelihood of relapse is almost zero.
Large polyps are removed openly due to the high risk of malignant growth. A standard operation consists of the following steps:
- opening of the esophagus through a wound on the front of the neck;
- assessment of the boundaries and size of the neoplasm;
- resection of the growth and surrounding tissues;
- stitching.
Neoplasms with a high growth rate, which include adenomatous polyps, are removed by conducting esophagotomy or resection of the esophagus. This approach to treatment is due to the maximum likelihood of malignancy. The malignant form of education always implies the complete removal of the polyp along with part of the esophagus. In this case, the patient must be prescribed a course of chemotherapy. After the operation, a second biopsy of the material is performed .
Diet change
The diet for polyps of the esophagus is designed in such a way as to reduce trauma to the mucous organ. All dishes are recommended to be steamed, followed by grinding to a puree consistency. Products should be selected taking into account the following requirements:
- prevention of gastroesophageal reflux;
- food should help accelerate the regeneration of injured after surgery tissues.
High fiber foods (legumes) and flour products are banned. From the diet should also be removed all types of canned products, fatty meat, coarse cereals (pearl barley, barley, millet).
Doctors recommend eating often, but in small portions. It is necessary to monitor the drinking regimen. A day is recommended to drink more than 1.5 liters of fluid.
Help traditional medicine
How to treat polyps with folk remedies? First of all, it should be noted that alternative medicine is effective only in the initial stages of the pathological process. In other cases, its methods can be used as an adjunct to the main therapy even after consulting a doctor.
Among the popular recipes in the fight against polyps, the following can be distinguished:
- A decoction of celandine. To prepare it, you need 25 g of the plant, pour a glass of boiling water, let it brew. Take the medicine three times a day before meals. This decoction can also be used in the form of microclysters.
- Sea buckthorn oil. This drug is recommended to take 25 g every morning and always on an empty stomach.
- Burdock juice. This remedy helps to reduce pain when swallowing, which is a clear symptom of the presence of polyps. For its preparation, it is necessary to cut and thoroughly rinse the young leaves of burdock and dry it. Then they need to be passed through a meat grinder. The resulting juice should be removed in the refrigerator. It is recommended to take the medicine three times a day for a teaspoon. The standard course of treatment is 1 month.
Possible complications and prognosis for recovery
After removing the polyps, if the patient promptly seeks medical help, he can return to his usual rhythm of life in a month. To exclude relapses, it is recommended to undergo a routine examination once a year.
Despite the almost asymptomatic course, the disease is a serious problem for any person. In some cases, the development of complications is possible. Among them, the malignancy of the pathological process is recognized as the most dangerous. For hyperplastic polyps, unlike adenomatous formations, this complication is not characteristic. Rapidly developing cancer significantly worsens the prognosis for recovery for the patient.
Lack of treatment and non-compliance with the diet can lead to damage to the surface of the growth. This, in turn, entails the appearance of bleeding with a high probability of developing chronic anemia.