Merck Manual

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Esophageal Tumors That Are Noncancerous

By

Anthony Villano

, MD, Fox Chase Cancer Center

Reviewed/Revised Oct 2023
VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION

Noncancerous (benign) tumors of the esophagus Throat and Esophagus The throat (pharynx) lies behind and below the mouth. When food and fluids leave the mouth, they pass through the throat. Swallowing of food and fluids begins voluntarily and continues automatically... read more (the tube that connects the throat to the stomach) are rare. Some tumors can cause problems with swallowing and, rarely, ulcers, bleeding, or both. They are usually more bothersome than harmful.

The most common type of noncancerous tumor is a leiomyoma, a tumor of the smooth muscle. It occurs most frequently in people between the ages of 30 and 60.

Other types of noncancerous tumors, including those consisting of connective tissue (fibrovascular polyps) and tissues related to nerves (schwannomas), are rare.

Diagnosis of Noncancerous Esophageal Tumors

  • Upper endoscopy or a barium swallow

To diagnose these tumors, doctors do an upper endoscopy or a barium swallow and may also do endoscopic ultrasonography.

Once the tumors are seen, doctors take tissue samples by doing an upper endoscopy.

Doctors may do a computed tomography (CT) scan in some people.

Treatment of Noncancerous Esophageal Tumors

  • Surgery

Typically, treatment is not recommended until a person develops symptoms or tumors start to grow larger.

Most leiomyomas are small and do not require treatment. However, a small number of leiomyomas grow large enough to cause partial obstruction of the esophagus, which may lead to difficulty swallowing Difficulty Swallowing Some people have difficulty swallowing (dysphagia). In dysphagia, foods and/or liquids do not move normally from the throat (pharynx) to the stomach. People feel as though food or liquids become... read more (dysphagia) and pain or discomfort. Analgesics (pain relievers) may provide temporary relief, but surgical removal is needed for permanent relief.

Because other rare noncancerous tumors can become cancerous (malignant), doctors typically remove them.

NOTE: This is the Consumer Version. DOCTORS: VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION
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