Leiomyomas of the gastrointestinal tract

Sixteen patients with leiomyoma of the gastrointestinal tract underwent operation and removal of their tumor during a four- and one-half-year period from January 1980 to July 1984. There were three esophageal, five gastric, two small bowel, four colon, and two anorectal leiomyomas. The majority of gastric leiomyomas presented with bleeding, as did half of the small bowel and colon cases. All were treated by excision without mortality. The various clinical presentations, evaluations, and choice of operative approach for this uncommon tumor are discussed.