Leiomyoma of the esophagus with special reference to the characteristics of this tumor in teenagers

Background/Aims: Leiomyoma, the most common benign esophageal tumor, occurs rarely in, youths. We herein. reported our experiences with this tumor, paying particular attention, to two cases in teenagers. Materials and Methods: We have surgically treated 12 patients with leiomyoma of the esophagus from 1978 to 1995. Ten of them occurred in adult and two occurred in, teenagers aged 17 and 18. We evaluated the characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of these cases, particularly in young patients. Results: The age range was from 17 to 55, and the mean was 40.5 years. The mean longitudinal size of 12 tumors in 10 adult cases was 4.9 cm, while both tumors in the teenagers were larger in size, over 10 cm. Endoscopic ultrasonography was useful in the diagnosis of the tumors. All tumors were enucleated without any complication. In young cases, in spite of size of the tumors, an enucleation was also possible and the long-term result was satisfactory. Conclusion: Regarding the young cases, in spite of the large size of the tumor, an enucleation of the tumor should be tried whenever possible, in consideration of the patient's postoperative quality of life.