Gastrointestinal leiomyomas in a developing country

Twenty one consecutive patients with leiomyoma of the gastrointestinal tract were studied. Recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding was found in 18 (85.7%) and recurrent intestinal obstruction in 3 (14.3%) patients. The commonest site of the lesion was the stomach followed by ileum, jejunum and duodenum. Barium meal examination and gastrointestinal endoscopy were suggestive of the diagnosis in 8 and angiography in 2 patients. The remaining patients were diagnosed peroperatively. All patients underwent excision and remained asymptomatic on follow up except two patients who had a recurrence of the tumor as leiomyosarcoma.