Abstract
BACKGROUND: Differentiating between benign and malignant submucosal tumors is difficult. Moreover, the natural course of benign-appearing SMTs is not clearly elucidated.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the natural course of upper gastrointestinal SMTs by endoscopic endosonography.
METHODS: We followed 25 consecutive patients with small (< 40 mm) SMTs for a mean period of 19 months. Evaluation included maximal tumor diameter, internal echo pattern, and outer margin of lesions.
RESULTS: Follow-up revealed no change in echo features in 24 of 25 patients (96%). In only one patient a homogenous hypoechoic smooth margin lesion converted to a non-homogenous tumor with an irregular outer margin. This lesion also increased in size from 30 to 38 mm. On surgical removal this tumor was found to be a stromal tumor with high malignant potential.
CONCLUSIONS: Most small SMTs do not change during a period of 19 months and a conservative policy of surveillance is warranted.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 430-2 |
| Number of pages | 3 |
| Journal | IMAJ : the Israel Medical Association Journal |
| Volume | 2 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| Publication status | Published - Jun 2000 |
Keywords
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Endosonography
- Esophageal Neoplasms
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Stomach Neoplasms
- Journal Article