Leiomyoma of the esophagus

Twenty-six cases of leiomyoma of the esophagus, presenting at four centers of Thoracic Surgery were reviewed. Dysphagia was a presenting symptom in 42% but was the only symptom in 15%. Sixty-two percent of patients presented with dyspepsia and 50% had other upper gastro-intestinal tract disorders. Half the lesions were identified correctly on contrast radiography and seen at endoscopy. Tumors were more or less equally found in the lower and middle thirds of the esophagus and varied in size from 2 cm to 13 cm in diameter. All were removed, 88% by enucleation, but the 3 patients who had esophageal resection all developed postoperative reflux esophagitis. Leiomyomas may cause no important symptoms and do not always cause dysphagia even when large. If treated, they should be enucleated.