A granuloma refers to a small flock of immune cells which emerge when your body attempts to seal off an infection or irritant in the gut. It is not a tumor, and it is an inflammatory response, which can be observed on imaging or in an intestinal biopsy.
Many people don't notice a granuloma until it causes problems. Signs to watch for include:
Granulomas form when the immune system responds to certain triggers in the intestine:
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A small granuloma is a tiny group of immune cells that develops in response to infection, inflammation, or an irritant. It is not cancer; it is your body's way of isolating and containing the offending agent.
Diagnosis usually involves blood tests, imaging techniques such as CT or MRI scans, and most conclusively, an endoscopic biopsy. Granulomatous inflammation can be examined under a microscope using tissue samples obtained from the biopsy.
Common signs include gastrointestinal cramps, chronic diarrhea, unexplained weight loss, low-grade fever, and sometimes bloody diarrhea. Treatment depends on the cause and may include anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., steroids), antibiotics for infections, immunomodulating therapy for conditions like Crohn's disease, dietary modifications, and in some cases, surgery or endoscopic intervention.
Mild cases often recover within a few weeks with appropriate treatment. If the granuloma is associated with a chronic condition like Crohn’s disease, it may take several months to control symptoms and achieve recovery, often requiring prolonged treatment.
No. A granuloma is a structured cluster of immune cells formed to fight infection or inflammation. A tumor is an abnormal growth of cells—benign or malignant—requiring different treatment approaches.
Granulomas are often observed in Crohn’s disease but are not exclusive to it. They may also occur with infections (e.g., tuberculosis), sarcoidosis, and other inflammatory conditions.
Granuloma biopsies typically show inflammation rather than cancer. If there is suspicion of malignancy, additional tissue samples or special staining techniques can be used to rule out cancer definitively.
Consult a physician if you experience abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea, unexplained weight loss, low-grade fever, night sweats, or blood in your stools. Early diagnosis helps identify the cause and start treatment promptly.
The best experts are gastroenterologists who specialize in inflammatory bowel diseases and endoscopic procedures, such as the specialists at GastroDoxs in Jersey Village.
GastroDoxs provides advanced monitoring and testing (blood work, imaging, endoscopic biopsy), personalized treatment plans (medications, nutrition support, procedures), and follow-up care to reduce symptoms, support healing, and help maintain long-term digestive health.
