Gallbladder Polyps: Size Matters in Predicting Cancer Risk

In this cohort study on 438 patients with gallbladder polyps (GPs), the risk of gallbladder cancer was 0.7% for all polyps, escalating to 5.9% for those ≥10 mm. GP size emerged as the sole predictor of malignancy (p = 0.0001), with a 21 mm cutoff indicating cancer risk. Patient’s age, symptoms, number of polyps, and changes in size were not predictive. The mean polyp growth rate was 0.3 mm/year, and 16% disappeared, prompting protocol adjustments favoring reduced scans and early discharge.