Examination is recommended from the age of 25. The other more commonly used forward-viewing endoscope is unable to get a clear view of the ampulla which is difficult to see and is often referred to as a blind spot. In the stomach, two types of polyps may be found. No treatment is necessary and examination is repeated every 5 years. The second type is an adenoma, generally isolated and very uncommon in the stomach.
Treatment depends on the degree of change and size of the adenoma.
In the duodenum, most patients will never develop symptoms from adenomas. Depending on the biopsy and appearance of the duodenum, side-viewing endoscopy is repeated at different intervals, ranging from 6 months to 3 years. Treatment may include laser, surgery, or ongoing observation and biopsy. Since duodenal adenomas are generally slow-growing and may, in fact, be rather small in size and number, an operation is generally not required. New research into medications which can control the growth of duodenal adenomas is underway.