Leiomyomas of the Gastrointestinal Tract: A Clinicopathologic Review

Abstract

Abstract Introduction/Objective Leiomyomas are benign smooth muscle tumors that can be found anywhere along the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). We undertook a retrospective study to investigate the incidence of GIT leiomyomas and to gain better understanding of their clinicopathologic characteristics. Methods/Case Report The surgical pathology files at our institution were searched for GIT leiomyomas encountered between 07/1994 and 12/2023. The clinical and histopathological findings were recorded. Results (if a Case Study enter NA) 74 leiomyomas were identified in various GIT locations, including esophagus (8), stomach (20), duodenum (3), colon (37) and rectum (6). There were 40 females and 34 males, with an average age of 61.5 years. Esophageal leiomyomas showed a mean size of 2.2 cm. 5/8 patients had synchronous adenocarcinomas of gastroesophageal junction and 1/8 patient had synchronous squamous cell carcinoma of esophagus. Gastric leiomyomas showed a mean size of 2.0 cm. 6/20 patients had synchronous and 4/20 patients had metachronous GIT cancers. 2/6 patients who had leiomyomas with synchronous GIT cancers also presented with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). Duodenal leiomyomas showed a mean size of 0.7 cm. 1/3 patient had synchronous pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Colonic leiomyomas showed a mean tumor size of 0.6 cm. 2/37 patients had synchronous and 6/37 patients had metachronous GIT cancers. Rectal leiomyomas showed a mean tumor size of 0.9 cm. 1/6 patient had metachronous non-GIT sarcoma. Adenomatous polyps coexisted with 10/37 colonic leiomyomas, 2/6 rectal leiomyomas and 1/20 gastric leiomyoma. Immunohistochemical stains (αSMA, Desmin, CD117, DOG-1, CD34) were consistently utilized in diagnosis to exclude GIST. Conclusion Leiomyomas were most frequently found in the colon (50.0%), followed by the stomach (27.0%). Esophageal and gastric leiomyomas showed larger sizes (averaged 2.2 and 2.0 cm respectively) than duodenal, colonic, and rectal counterparts (averaged 0.7, 0.6, and 1 cm, respectively). This suggests an association between tumor locations and clinical features. Synchronous malignancies occurred in 20.2% of cases, mainly gastroesophageal/colonic adenocarcinomas. Metachronous malignancies were noted in 14.8% of cases. Given the high incidence of synchronous/metachronous malignancies (35.1%) in the gastrointestinal tract, close clinical surveillance is warranted for these patients.