Leiomyomata of the oesophagus: report of four surgically-treated cases

Abstract

Four patients with leiomyoma of the upper or middle third of the oesophagus treated by surgical excision are reported. All operations were performed through a right thoracotomy with simple enucleation of the lesion. Two patients were asymptomatic. In one the tumour had a spiral configuration almost completely surrounding the lumen. No complications occurred. Early surgical treatment is advised although the tumour grows slowly.