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.