How is esophageal leiomyoma diagnosed?

How is esophageal leiomyoma diagnosed?

In short, esophageal leiomyoma is a benign tumor with slow progress [14], for patients who suspected esophageal leiomyoma should undergo endoscopic ultrasonography to diagnose clearly, avoiding endoscopic biopsy. Surgical operation is the most effective method, and the prognosis is good.

What is esophageal leiomyoma?

Esophageal leiomyomas are the most common benign tumors of the esophagus. They are rare lesions that constitute less than 1% of esophageal neoplasms. Approximately two-thirds of benign esophageal tumors are leiomyomas; the others are usually cysts and polyps and cysts.

What is the most common benign tumor of the esophagus?

Sometimes a tumor develops in your esophagus that is not cancerous (benign). The most common type—representing about 70 percent of benign tumors—is leiomyoma, which forms in the muscle.

What percentage of esophageal tumors are benign?

Approximately 2% of all esophageal tumors are benign primary tumors of the esophagus, and these are most commonly located in the upper thoracic esophagus [1, 2]. Many patients are asymptomatic and are incidentally found to have benign esophageal tumors.

How is leiomyoma of the esophagus treated?

Surgical excision is recommended for symptomatic leiomyomas and those greater than 5 cm. Asymptomatic or smaller lesions should be followed periodically with barium swallow. Resection is the only way to confirm that a tumor is not malignant.

How fast do esophageal leiomyomas grow?

It is reported that small esophageal leiomyomas are generally slow growing, and most of them are stable in lesion size over 3 years and more (9), while the large leiomyomas may grow rapidly and expand to 3 times or more in less than 3 years (3,9).

How common are leiomyomas?

Leiomyoma is the most common gynecological tumor. They affect 30–50% of the female population in reproductive age, and are predominantly found among individuals of African descent.

How quickly do esophageal tumors grow?

Esophageal cancer grows slowly and may grow for many years before the symptoms are felt. However, once the symptoms develop, esophageal cancer progresses rapidly. As the tumor grows, it can seep into the deep tissues and organs near the esophagus.

Are most esophageal tumors cancerous?

Adenocarcinoma is the most common form of esophageal cancer in the United States, and it affects primarily white men. Squamous cell carcinoma. The squamous cells are flat, thin cells that line the surface of the esophagus. Squamous cell carcinoma occurs most often in the upper and middle portions of the esophagus.

Can you feel an esophageal tumor?

Chest pain Someone with esophageal cancer may experience pain in the middle of the chest that feels like pressure or burning. This discomfort can often be confused with other problems, such as heartburn, so it is difficult to recognize it as a symptom.

What is considered a large esophageal tumor?

Esophageal tumor length ≥3 cm was significantly associated with increasing tumor stage, worse lymph stage, increasing metastatic LN ratio, increasing overall TNM stage, and poor survival. The results of this study showed the requirement of consideration of tumor length as a prognostic grouping factor in ESCC.

Can a tumor in the esophagus be removed?

In an esophagectomy, the goal is to remove all of the tumor in order to prevent it from returning or spreading. Your surgeon removes the tumor, part of the esophagus, tissue around the tumor, and lymph nodes where cancer cells may have spread. The stomach is then attached to the remaining part of the healthy esophagus.

Is leiomyoma malignant?

Leiomyoma are benign tumors of smooth muscle origin. They are most commonly found in the female genital tract, but they can also be found in the retroperitoneum and the urinary bladder.

What does a CT scan of the esophagus show?

Computed tomography (CT) is considered complimentary to endoscopy and barium studies and is used to stage and follow esophageal tumors. CT can be used to define the local extent of tumor by showing the extent of involvement of the esophageal wall by tumor and tumor invasion of the peri-esophageal fat.

Is a 5 cm esophageal tumor large?

Esophageal tumor length ≥3 cm was significantly associated with increasing tumor stage, worse lymph stage, increasing metastatic LN ratio, increasing overall TNM stage, and poor survival.

Do you need chemo for a benign tumor?

Chemotherapy is less frequently used to treat non-cancerous brain tumours. It’s a powerful medicine that kills tumour cells, and can be given as a tablet, injection or drip. Side effects of these treatments can include tiredness, hair loss, nausea, and reddening of your skin.

What are the CT findings of esophageal leiomyoma?

The CT findings of esophageal leiomyoma have been described in several case reports (4, 6) and in one major paper (7). According to these articles, it is seen as a homogeneous intramural mass or esophageal wall thickening. No CT reports, however, have detailed the findings in a relatively large series of esophageal leiomyomas.

What is the size of esophageal leiomyoma?

Esophageal leiomyomas are usually solitary, ranging from 2 to 6 cm in diameter. Especially when large, they may be recognized as posterior mediastinal masses with a mass effect on an adjacent organ (3, 4). Multiple esophageal leiomyomas are rare (11-13), and though have been reported in a patient with Alport syndrome (13).

Can esophageal leiomyomas be removed?

Esophageal leiomyomas can encircle the entire esophagus in its lower third, and microscopically, have the usual characteristics of a benign smooth muscle tumor. Local resection or enucleation is usually successful (9, 10). Esophageal leiomyomas are usually solitary, ranging from 2 to 6 cm in diameter.

What does a leiomyoma look like on barium swallow?

Like other leiomyomas, they comprise smooth muscle overgrowth. They typically involve the mid-to-distal esophagus 4. On barium swallow, may be seen as a discrete ovoid mass that is well outlined by barium. Its borders form slightly obtuse angles with the esophageal wall.