[Gastric leiomyoblastoma. Two case reports]

Two cases of gastric leiomyoblastoma (one of which of exceptional size, measuring more than 40 cm) observed respectively in 1992 at the Surgery Division of USSL 45 at Asola (MN) and in 1990 at the Second Surgery Division of USSL 47 in Mantova are reported. In the first case anaemia revealed the tumor whereas in the second case the patient suffering from a pain in the abdomen was admitted to hospital. These two tumors raise interest for their rarity and for their uncertain biological evolution. They generally develop very slowly and tend to remain intramural. The most frequently attacked seats are the antum-pyloric region and the stomach body. The main symptoms are epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, sideropenic anaemia, epigastric palpable mass. The diagnostic iter includes radiologic examination (digestive tube X-ray, echography, TAC, arteriography), gastroscopy and laparoscopy. In most cases surgical resection is not completely destroying, except for those cases in which the tumor measures more than 5 cm and total or subtotal gastrectomy is performed.