Benign tumors of the esophagus: experience with 20 cases

Benign tumors of the esophagus are rare and require an alert suspicion for early diagnosis. These tumors may not cause symtoms before attaining large size, yet they may prove fatal when small. Because of the possibility of malignancy and their tendency to obstruct, benign tumors of the esophagus should be resected when diagnosed. This report details our experience in 20 patients with benign esophageal tumors seen at Emory University Hospital between 1955 and 1975. There were 15 men and five women in the group, ranging in age from 17 to 75 years. The tumor series included 13 leiomyomas, four cysts, two cases of multiple polyps, and one case of granular cell myoblastoma. Six of the tumors were asymptomatic; the remaining 14 had symptoms of dysphagia, pain, and hematemesis. In one instance, episodic hematemesis and melena were so severe that they produced hemorrhagic shock. Characteristic radiologic features helped in making the preoperative diagnosis in 18 of the 20 cases. Two patients had coexisting disease masking the presence of the esophageal tumor. Seventeen patients had surgical resection. There were no operative deaths and follow-up results have been satisfactory.