[Special problems of benign stomach tumors]

Comparing with malignant lesions or peptic ulcers benign gastric tumors are rare. From 916 patients with gastric diseases, who underwent laparatomy between 1980 and 1993 in the Surgical Department at the University of Cologne, we found only 15 cases (1.6%) of benign gastric tumors. The most common benign tumor of the stomach are leiomyomas followed by adenomas. The majority of benign tumors are asymptomatic. Complaints as hemorrhage or pain are seen of large tumors. Gastroscopy is the most important examination in the diagnosis of benign gastric tumors. Endoscopic polypectomy should be carried out in those lesions still benign. Greater lesions or endoscopically incomplete excised polyps should be treated surgically. Mesenchymal tumors are difficult to estimate in their dignity. The treatment of choice is local surgical extirpation. The postoperative results are excellent.