Lipoma of the esophagus

A case report is presented of a 64-year-old female with a very large pedunculated lipoma in the esophagus. These lipomas are relatively uncommon and in spite of their large size may cause very few symptoms. Often they are first recognized after regurgitation of the tumor mass in the mouth which may, in some cases, lead to asphyxia and death. Because of the danger of asphyxia, therapy by excision of the tumor soon after diagnosis appears to be essential. A classification of benign esophageal tumors is given and the role of radiology in diagnosis described.