Esophageal Leiomyoma Clinical Presentation

Updated: Jan 25, 2023
  • Author: Kavitha Kumbum, MD; Chief Editor: Praveen K Roy, MD, MSc  more...
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Presentation

History and Physical Examination

History

Esophageal leiomyomas rarely cause symptoms when they are smaller than 5 cm in diameter. Large tumors can cause dysphagia, vague retrosternal discomfort, chest pain, esophageal obstruction, and regurgitation. Rarely, they can cause gastrointestinal bleeding, with erosion through the mucosa.

Physical examination

Other than the nonspecific symptoms associated with esophageal leiomyomas, very few physical findings are ever noted. In extremely rare cases where severe esophageal obstruction is caused by a leiomyoma, weight loss and muscle wasting may be observed.