[Leiomyosarcoma of the stomach]

Leiomyosarcoma of the stomach is a rare occurrence, amounting to only 0.5-3% of all stomach malignancies. Because of its extragastral growth, it produce clinical symptoms, mostly with bleeding, only at a late stage. The decisive method of examination is computed tomography which demonstrates the extraluminal tumor lying apparently in the mesenterium with contrast medium up-take at the borders and central necrosis. A secure differential diagnosis to leiomyoma is not possible by angiography or by computed tomography; this distinction is even difficult by histology.