Smooth muscle tumors of upper gastrointestinal tract :a diagnostic and therapeutic analysis of endoscopy

Objective To investigate the clinical and endoscopic features of smooth muscle tumors in upper gastrointestinal tract and evaluate the diagnostic and therapeutic methods of leiomyoma and leiomyosarcoma.MethodsThe documents of 156 cases with smooth muscle tumors in upper gastrointestinal tract proved by surgery and histopathology in past 25 years were retrospectively reviewed and analysed.Results156 cases of smooth muscle tumors in upper gastrointe stinal tract included leiomyoma 126 cases and leiomyosarcoma 30 cases. Leiomyoma were found mainly in esophagus, Most of them (78.2%) were small ones with diameter≤2 cm. The incidence of tumors with ulceration were found higher in leiomyosarcoma (73.3%) than in leiomyoma(14.3%)(P0.01). 75.4% leiomyoma appeared ≤2 cm in diameter, 76.7% of leiomyosarcoma exceeded 5 cm in diameter. 95 cases of leiomyoma with diameter ≤2 cm were resected by push snare cauterization.Conclusion Leiomyomas in upper gastrointestinal tract were found mainly in esophagus. The size and ulceration of tumors can be considered as an important evidence of distinguishing leiomyoma from leiomyosarcoma .The satisfactory results suggested that the method of push snare cauterization was safe and effective in dealing with leiomyoma ≤2 cm in diameter.