Cystic lymphangioma of the colon. Endoscopic and histologic features

Cystic lymphangiomas are rare benign tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. Such a lesion was found in the colon of a man who presented with diarrhea and rectal bleeding. The colonoscopic appearances of a smooth, soft polypoid lesion on a broad base should alert the clinician to suspect such a lesion. Histologically the lesion is characterized by submucosal lymphatic spaces with a smooth muscle component in the wall. Though colonoscopic excision, injection, or rupture of the cyst have been advocated as possible modes of treatment, surgical excision is still considered to be the treatment of choice.