Drug-induced bleeding of gastric leiomyoma

Gastrointestinal bleeding is a major sign by which smooth muscle tumors are brought to medical attention. Bleeding usually occurs from an ulceration on the mucosal surface of the tumor. Agents such as nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and steroids may damage the gastric mucosa, thus becoming predisposed to bleeding. Three patients presenting with ulcerated or bleeding leiomyomas while on either nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs or steroid therapy are herein reported.