LEIOMYOMAS AND LEIOMYOSARCOMAS OF THE GASTROINTESTINAL-TRACT - 5 CASE-REPORTS AND DISCUSSION

Leiomyomas and leiomyosarcomas of the gastro-intestinal tract: 5 case reports and discussion. Leiomyomas and leiomyosarcomas of the gastro-intestinal tract are quite uncommon tumors. Clinical findings are aspecific: abdominal pain and gastrointestinal bleeding. Diagnosis is made by X-ray with contrast, endoscopy and CT-scan. Although biopsies taken endoscopy are considered to be useless, our experiences showed an accurate diagnosis with biopsies. Surgery is the only treatment. The aim is to reduce the mass of tumor as much as possible; second look operations with careful debulking enhances the surviva in case of recidive. Resection of lymphnodes is useless. Radiotherapy nor chemotherapy are proven to be useful. The grade of malignity determines the prognosis. The liver and the abdominal cavity are the predilected localisation for metastasis. Metastasis in lymphnodes is uncommon. Five year survival is about 50%.