Mast Cell Density in Hyperplastic Gastric Polyps: Correlations with Polypogenesis and Metaplasia

Objective: Mast cells play pivotal roles in tumorigenesis dynamics, yet the specific factors driving hyperplastic gastric polyp formation remain unclear. This study aims to elucidate this gap by examining mast cell quantities in incidental gastric polyps, with a specific focus on hyperplastic lesions, and exploring their correlation with polypogenesis and metaplasia. Methods: 45 endoscopy specimens exhibiting anterior non-atrophic chronic inactive gastritis (2014-2023) were examined. Following histological evaluations, the cases were classified into three groups: hyperplastic gastric polyps with or without intestinal metaplasia, and chronic inactive gastritis as the control. Mast cell density per unit area was assessed from toluidine blue-stained sections. Polyp diameter and demographic information were also recorded for statistical analysis. Results: The average ages of patients with hyperplastic polyps, metaplasia, and gastritis were 51.2±12.84, 55.93±13.58, and 56.2±14.68, respectively (p>0.05). In each group, the proportion of women was higher. Mast cell density, which varied within each group, did not show a statistically significant difference (p>0.05). The average polyp diameters for the metaplasia and hyperplastic polyp groups were 0.26 and 0.30 mm, respectively (p>0.05). There was no correlation between mast cell density and polyp diameter (p>0.05). Conclusions: Intestinal metaplasia did not significantly influence mast cell density in non-dysplastic, low-malignant gastric polyps. Mast cell density and diameter in hyperplastic gastric polyps of 1 cm or smaller showed no correlation. Overall, non-cancerous gastric polypogenesis and mast cell count lack a unidirectional relationship.