Abstract:

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics of esophageal gastrointestinal stromal tumors, and evaluate the safety and efficacy of treatment under endoscope. Methods The clinical data of 24 patients undergoing endoscopic treatment confirmed as esophageal gastrointestinal stromal tumors were analysed. Eighteen patients underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), and the other 6 received submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection (STER). The demographic information, disease location, ultrasonic endoscopic presentation, histological features, treatment procedure and follow-up findings were analysed. Results Among the 24 patients,70.83% aged no less than 50, and 70.83% were males. The lesions mainly located in the lower part of esophagus, and mostly originated from the muscularis propria. The incidence of esophageal gastrointestinal stromal tumor with smooth muscle differentiation was high. Among the 18 patients undergoing ESD, the tumors originated from muscularis propria in 9 and from muscularis mucosa in the other 9, and all tumors were removed completely, while perforation of 0.3 cm occurred in one originating from muscularis propria. Among the 6 patients undergoing STER, all the tumors originated from muscularis propria, and were removed completely.  Patients were followed up for 3 to 42 months, and no residue or recurrence of tumor was detected. Conclusion Endoscopic treatment is effective and safe in management of esophageal gastrointestinal stromal tumors, and STER is superior to ESD for those originating from the muscularis propria.

Key words: esophageal gastrointestinal stromal tumor, endoscopic submucosal dissection, submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection