[Contribution to the clinical study and treatment of esophageal myoma]

Smooth muscle tumours of the oesophagus

Twelve patients with oesophageal smooth muscle tumour were operated on between 1955 and 1984 in the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery of Helsinki University Central Hospital. Eleven tumours were leiomyomata, the twelfth was a leiomyosarcoma. Dysphagia (83%) and chest or epigastric pains (67%) were the most common symptoms presented. All patients underwent transthoracic removal of the tumour. Complications of the surgery included two cases of postoperative oesophageal fistula; in both instances the lumen of the oesophagus had been entered during the extirpation of the tumour. The surgery was effective in eliminating the most prominent symptom, i.e. dysphagia. However, follow-up examinations 11.1 +/- 6.8 (SD) years later revealed reflux symptoms and endoscopically and histologically verified oesophagitis in seven of the nine (78%) surviving patients. Additionally, two of them had developed Barrett's oesophagus, 10 and 19 years, respectively, after the primary surgery. These two patients underwent subsequent transabdominal antireflux procedures (Nissen fundoplication). We conclude that long-term follow-up of patients who have been treated for benign oesophageal tumour is indicated.

Leiomyomata of the esophagus. An analysis of 838 cases

Review of the world literature to the end of 1971 has provided data on 838 cases of esophageal leiomyomata, including our own 19 surgically removed lesions. Although esophageal leiomyoma is the most common of the benign tumors of the esophagus, it is still rare compared with carcinoma. It occurs in more men than women, by a ratio of 1.9 to 1. Over 50% of the patients with leiomyoma of the esophagus are asymptomatic. Dysphagia and vague pain are the most frequent symptoms. Pyrosis is mentioned in the literature as present in 40% of the cases, but it is considered mainly as symptom of coexistent hiatal hernia. Diagnostic problems often arise, as the smooth muscle tumors may mimic mediastinal neoplasms, cysts, or even aneurysms, or complicate coexisting hiatal hernia and esophageal diverticulum. Operative management by transthoracic enucleation is the procedure of choice, although resection of the esophagaus may be required in few cases. Postoperative morbidity is minimal and results are excellent.