Everyone Healthy Library
Benign Esophageal Tumors
Condition / disease reference page from the Everyone Healthy database.
Connected health information
Explore this condition in a clear order
Linked signs and symptoms
1Each sign/symptom opens its own page and links back to related conditions.
Linked drugs / medications
0No linked drugs are listed yet.
Treatments, therapies and supportive options
7Grouped by treatment type. These are educational database links, not personal treatment recommendations. Evidence labels are shown only where stored in the EH database.
Linked diagnostic tests and investigations
9These are pulled from both EH diagnostic-test link tables, including the older large test-link table.
- Alpha-1 Antitrypsin (AAT) Concentration
- Cerebrospinal Fluid Albumin Concentration
- Cerebrospinal Fluid Protein Concentration
- Cerebrospinal Fluid Protein Electrophoresis
- Cerebrospinal Fluid White Cell Differential
- Fibrin Degradation Products (FDPs, Fibrin Split Products, FSPs, Fibrin Breakdown Products, Fbps)
- Fibrin Monomers Test
- Functional Residual Capacity
- Plasminogen Activity
Biological and test markers
8This visual map uses existing EH database links to show biological agents and lab markers reported as increased, decreased, or associated with this condition. These are educational relationships only; test results must be interpreted by a qualified clinician because ranges vary by lab, method, age, sex and clinical context.
Often increased
6- Albumin (Cerebrospinal Fluid, CSF)Reference range exampleAll: 10–35 mg/dL; All: 56–76 %Linked diagnostic tests2Cerebrospinal Fluid Albumin Concentration, Cerebrospinal Fluid Protein Electrophoresis
- Alpha-1 Antintrypsin (AAT)Reference range exampleAdult ( > 16y): 90–215 mg/dLLinked diagnostic tests1Alpha-1 Antitrypsin (AAT) Concentration
- Cerebrospinal Fluid Neutrophil DifferentialReference range exampleAll: 0–5 %Linked diagnostic tests1Cerebrospinal Fluid White Cell Differential
- Cerebrospinal Fluid Total ProteinReference range exampleAdult ( > 16y): 15–45 mg/dL; Child (< 10y): 15–70 mg/dLLinked diagnostic tests1Cerebrospinal Fluid Protein Concentration
- Fibrin MonomersReference range example0–10,000 µg/LLinked diagnostic tests1Fibrin Monomers Test
- Fibrin Split ProductsReference range exampleAll: 0–1 mg/dLLinked diagnostic tests1Fibrin Degradation Products (FDPs, Fibrin Split Products
Often decreased
2Other associated markers
0No markers in this group.
Introduction / full article
Benign Esophageal Tumors
Benign Esophageal Tumors
Several tumors can arise from the different layers of the esophageal wall and may be benign, or noncancerous in nature. These are rare, however, and only comprise less than 1% of the tumors of the esophagus. These benign tumors include Leiomyoma, Hemangioma, Granular cell tumor, Congenital esophageal cyst, Fibrovascular polyp, Bronchogenic cyst, Inflammatory fibroid polyp or Eosinophilic granuloma, Lymphangioma, Squamous cell papilloma, Lipoma, and Neurofibroma. These tumors tend to cause no symptoms because they are slow-growing and are only noted incidentally during routine chest radiographs or during the evaluation of vague chest discomfort or difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia).
Pathophysiology
Almost two thirds of the benign tumors of the esophagus is the Leiomyoma. It arises from the muscular layer of the esophageal wall and is covered by the intact mucosa and submucosal layers and is usually found in the mid to lower portion of the esophagus. Granulomas and inflammatory polyps can occur in the setting of esophagitis and can occasionally be confused with malignant lesions.
Epidemiology
Esophageal leiomyomas usually occur in people aged 20 to 50 years old.
Clinical Features
Majority of the benign esophageal tumors have no presenting symptoms and can go undetected for several years. However, large or strategically located tumors may become symptomatic and cause dysphagia or difficulty in swallowing, odynophagia (pain in swallowing), chest pain or discomfort, food regurgitation, and weight loss. Other symptoms may include cough, difficulty breathing, or sore throat. There have been reported cases where Leiomyomas outgrew their blood supply, causing ulceration and bleeding.
Diagnosis
Esophageal tumors can be visualized with barium swallow and esophageal ultrasonography. Esophagoscopy, an endoscopic procedure, would also be able to rule out a carcinoma by obtaining tissue samples for biopsy.
Treatment
Small esophageal tumors not causing any symptoms are managed expectantly and are followed up periodically using barium swallow. These tumors, especially Leiomyomas, have a slow growth rate and are not at risk for transformation into malignancy.
Surgical resection is recommended for tumors causing symptoms and complications, and for large tumors measuring more than 5cm. Open surgical technique is the recommended management for esophageal tumors, although combined esophagogoscopy and video-assisted resection or thoracoscopy can alternatively be performed.
Prognosis
Prognosis is good for benign esophageal tumors because they do not recur following complete surgical resection.
Summary References
Treatments:
1. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec02/ch021/ch021b.html?qt=Benign%20Esophageal%20Tumors&alt=sh
2. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11965474
3. http://www.semthorcardiovascsurg.com/article/S1043-0679%2803%2970039-2/abstract