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Understanding the Terms on Your Endoscopy Report

This page is general information to help you understand common wording on an upper or lower endoscopy report — it is not a medical diagnosis. If you have concerns about your results, always talk to your doctor.

What is a polyp?

A polyp is a growth of tissue that protrudes from the lining of the stomach or colon. Most are benign, but because different types behave differently, doctors often decide whether to remove it or send it for biopsy based on its size and appearance during the procedure.

Types of colon polyps

Adenomatous polyps are known to carry some potential to develop into colorectal cancer over time, so removal is often recommended when they are found. Hyperplastic polyps, on the other hand, are generally considered benign with low potential to become cancerous.

What a positive or negative H. pylori result means

Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that lives in the stomach lining. A positive result means this infection is present, which is a known risk factor for chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, and, less commonly, stomach cancer. If you test positive, it is standard to discuss whether eradication treatment is needed with your doctor.

Atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia

Atrophic gastritis refers to thinning of the stomach lining from long-term inflammation, while intestinal metaplasia describes stomach lining cells that have changed to resemble intestinal cells. Both can result from chronic inflammation and are typically findings that call for periodic follow-up endoscopy.

What a diverticulum finding means

A diverticulum is a small pouch that bulges outward from the wall of the colon, and most are found incidentally with no symptoms at all. If a diverticulum becomes inflamed (diverticulitis), it can cause abdominal pain and other symptoms that need medical attention.

Waiting on a biopsy result

If tissue was taken from a suspicious area during your procedure, it goes to a separate pathology review, and results typically take one to two weeks to come back. Always have your results explained directly by your doctor before deciding on next steps.

The type of polyp determines what happens next

If your report mentions a polyp, the specific type matters a great deal. A generally benign finding like a hyperplastic polyp and one that needs monitoring or removal, like an adenomatous polyp, lead to very different follow-up plans, so it is worth reading the biopsy findings on your report carefully.

Understanding gastritis findings

Terms like H. pylori, atrophic gastritis, and intestinal metaplasia often appear together on a report because they are related aspects of chronic stomach inflammation. Understanding how they connect can make a follow-up conversation with your doctor more productive, though this page is general education, not a substitute for that conversation.

Frequently Asked Questions

If a polyp was removed during the procedure, is that the end of it?

Most removed polyps are sent for biopsy to confirm their type, and the result can affect how soon your next screening should be. Always get the exact result and follow-up plan directly from your medical provider.

If I test positive for H. pylori, do I always need treatment?

Eradication treatment is commonly recommended when related findings like gastritis or ulcers are present, but whether treatment is needed and which regimen to use depends on your individual situation — this should be decided together with your doctor.