What it means
A polyp is anything that rises from the gallbladder wall into the space inside it. Most are cholesterol polyps, made of fat-laden cells gathered under the lining. A smaller share are adenomas, which are true growths of the wall. On ultrasound a polyp is a bright spot fixed to the wall. Unlike a gallstone, it stays put when you move and casts no shadow.
When it matters
Most small polyps stay harmless, and many never change. Size and shape guide the next step, and guidelines differ slightly on exact cut-offs. Very small polyps often need no follow-up. Mid-sized ones are often rechecked with ultrasound for a year or two. Polyps about 1 cm or larger, or ones that grow, are more likely to be adenomas. These can rarely turn into cancer, so your doctor may suggest removing the gallbladder.
Questions to ask your doctor
- How big is the polyp, and does it need a follow-up ultrasound?
- Does it have a thin stalk or a broad base, and does that change anything?
- Has it changed in size compared with earlier scans?
