Exposure to negative environmental factors and 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 work of 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, each person should be aware of the main symptoms of this pathology and existing methods of treatment.
Specific disease
The polyp of the esophagus 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 esophageal wall and hangs from it. It has a stem and a wide base.
To a greater extent, the disease affects the stronger sex, 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 alreadyturns out to be ineffective.
Varieties and characteristic features of formations
This pathology is classified in medical practice by origin. The following types of neoplasms are distinguished:
- Hyperplastic. Formed due to the growth of normal, he althy 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 pathological cells. This type of neoplasm can be both benign and malignant in 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 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 a person's quality of life.
Among the main causes contributing to the onset of the disease, doctors name the following:
- inflammatory processes in the stomach, characterized by a chronic course;
- esophagitis gastritis;
- microtrauma of the walls of the stomach resulting from the useexcessively coarse or hot food;
- incorrect work of the sphincter, provoking reverse reflux of bile;
- stress and nervous experiences;
- inactive lifestyle.
The exact causes of polyps in the esophagus remain poorly understood. However, the factors listed above 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 growth 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;
- feeling of a "coma" in the throat;
- loss of appetite;
- feeling sick;
- weight loss;
- rare bouts of vomiting;
- chest discomfort.
The presence of small solitary formations is not accompanied by obvious symptoms. They are usually discovered incidentally during endoscopic examination of the upper digestive system and when other ailments are suspected (esophagitis, peptic ulcer, etc.).
Diagnostic Methods
Before treatment of polyps in the esophagus, the patient must undergo a detailed examination. This pathology is de alt with by a gastroenterologist. It is this specialist who should be consulted for help with discomfort in the chest area and a feeling of "coma" in the throat.
Diagnosis begins with examining the patient and examining his complaints. To obtain a complete clinical picture, the doctor needs an anamnesis of the patient. In most cases, already at this stage, the doctor may suspect neoplasms in the gastrointestinal tract and choose further treatment tactics.
Additional methods of examination of the esophagus are: chest X-ray and endoscopy. It is on the basis of the images obtained that the doctor can say with certainty in which part of the esophagus the polyps are localized, whether the symptoms are dangerous. Endoscopic examination allows you to assess the condition of the mucosa and determine the presence of damage, neoplasms. During this stage of the diagnosis, a biopsy is also performed. The study of the obtained material in the laboratory helps to identify malignant elements.
Features of therapy
How to treat esophageal polyps? This is the question that arises in patients after confirmation of the diagnosis. The main method of treatment is surgical removal of neoplasms. Therapeutic methods of influence are not effective. In most cases, they only delay surgery, which can lead to negative consequences.
Operating
Esophageal polyps are removed endoscopically. As a rule, 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.
Duringoperation, the doctor has the opportunity to monitor its implementation on the computer screen. This approach minimizes the risk of injury to other parts of the esophagus. The defect formed after the intervention on the mucosa regenerates within 1-2 weeks, while the probability of recurrence is almost zero.
Removal of large polyps is carried out in an open way due to the high risk of malignancy of the growth. A standard operation consists of the following steps:
- opening the esophagus through a wound on the front wall of the neck;
- assessment of the boundaries and size of the neoplasm;
- resection of the build-up and nearby tissues;
- suturing.
High-growth neoplasms, such as adenomatous polyps, are removed by esophagotomy or resection of the esophagus. This approach to treatment is due to the maximum likelihood of malignancy. A 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.
Change in diet
Diet for polyps of the esophagus is designed in such a way as to reduce trauma to the mucosa of the organ. All dishes are recommended to be steamed, followed by grinding to a puree consistency. Products should be selected according to the following requirements:
- prevention of gastroesophageal reflux;
- food shouldhelp accelerate the process of regeneration of tissues injured after surgery.
Foods high in fiber (legumes) and flour products are banned. All types of canned food, fatty meat, coarse cereals (barley, barley, millet) should also be removed from the diet.
Doctors recommend eating often, but in small portions. It is necessary to monitor the drinking regime. It is recommended to drink more than 1.5 liters of fluid per day.
Help of 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, her methods can be used as an addition to the main therapy and after consultation with a doctor.
Among the popular recipes in the fight against polyps are the following:
- Decoction of celandine. To prepare it, you need to pour 25 g of the plant with a glass of boiling water, let it brew. It is necessary to take the medicine three times a day before meals. This decoction can also be used in the form of microclysters.
- Sea buckthorn oil. This remedy 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. To prepare it, it is necessary to cut and thoroughly wash the young leaves of burdock, dry it. Then they need to be passed through a meat grinder. The resultingjuice should be stored 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 the removal of polyps, if the patient seeks medical help in a timely manner, he can return to his usual rhythm of life in a month. To prevent recurrence, it is recommended to undergo a preventive examination once a year.
Despite the almost asymptomatic course, the disease is a serious problem for any person. In some cases, complications may develop. Among them, the malignancy of the pathological process is recognized as the most dangerous. For hyperplastic polyps, unlike adenomatous formations, such a complication is not typical. Rapidly developing cancer significantly worsens the patient's prognosis for recovery.
Lack of treatment and poor diet can damage the surface of the growth. This, in turn, entails the appearance of bleeding with a high probability of developing chronic anemia.
