Benign Esophageal Tumor - Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention

Introduction

Leiomyoma is the most common esophagus asymptomatic smooth muscle tumor that does not cause irritation or discomfort. Benign esophageal tumors are usually not very dangerous but can become more prominent in size and cause obstruction in the esophageal tube. A person must consult a doctor when a benign esophageal tumor appears. Benign esophageal tumors rarely occur in approximately 2 % of cases and can be detectable if they appear up to 5 cm in size. These tumors hardly become more prominent but can become giant if they are more than 10 cm in dimension. Benign tumors of the esophagus become symptomatic only when they grow in size. They usually go unnoticed or can be seen accidentally during imaging tests and endoscopic procedures.

What Are the Symptoms Caused by a Benign Esophageal Tumor?

The symptoms caused by a benign esophageal tumor are as follows:

• Chest pain.

• Dysphagia or swallowing difficulty.

• Food gets impacted or stuck in the back of the throat.

• Bleeding in the esophagus.

• Open ulcers or sores.

• Regurgitation (sudden backup) of saliva and undigested food.

How Is a Benign Esophageal Tumor Diagnosed?

The diagnosis of a benign esophageal tumor includes the following techniques:

• Blood tests help in the diagnosis of benign esophageal tumors.

• The doctor also makes the person swallow barium dye liquid for the precise imaging of the esophagus. This technique helps to view the esophagus passage clearly for any muscle constriction or food blockage.

• Doctors also use magnetic resonance imaging or MRI to get a clear picture of the possible tumor in the esophagus without radiation.

• For 2-D and 3-D imaging of the esophageal tumor, the doctor recommends computed tomography (CT scan).

• The doctor also performs an upper esophagus endoscopy to take tissue for biopsy and examination under the microscope.

What Are the Treatment Options for Benign Esophageal Tumors?

Benign esophageal tumors are mainly asymptomatic and do not need surgery. The essential treatment is through thoracotomy followed by enucleation or resection of the benign tumor. The doctor performs the enucleation technique primarily with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). The doctor usually performs a resection of the esophagus for larger benign tumors and treats the asymptomatic ones with regular follow-ups with the doctor. The surgical methods used may include:

• Endoscopic Submucosal Directional: In this technique, a doctor removes the tumor from the esophagus by forming a fluid cushion or wall between the benign tumor and healthy tissue. The doctor does this by making an incision on a person's chest to remove the tumor part of the esophagus. The method helps in the easy removal of the tumor without causing damage to the healthy tissues of the esophagus lining.

• Endoscopic Mucosal Resection: In this technique, a doctor uses an endoscope instrument to access and locate the benign esophageal tumor and then removes it. The esophagus remains intact, and only the tumor gets released with the help of the endoscopic method.

What Are the Various Benign Esophageal Disorders?

Benign esophageal disorders are as follows:

• Paraesophageal hernias.

• Acid reflux disorders.

• Achalasia.

• Benign esophageal tumor.

What Are the Risk Factors for Benign Esophageal Tumors?

The risk factors for benign esophageal tumors are as follows:

• Smoking.

• Obesity.

• A habit of drinking hot liquids steadily.

• Drinking alcohol.

• Presence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

• Frequent radiation exposure in the upper abdomen and chest area.

• Swallowing difficulty due to esophageal sphincter.

• Bile reflux problem.

What Are the Complications Associated With Benign Esophageal Tumors?

The complications associated with benign esophageal tumors include:

• Esophageal bleeding due to the presence of a tumor.

• Obstruction or blockage of the esophagus due to tumor growth enlargement.

• Pain in the esophagus if the cancer is more prominent.

What Is the Differential Diagnosis for Benign Esophageal Tumors?

• Esophageal cancer.

• Esophageal lymphoma.

• Esophageal hematoma.

• Esophageal mortality disorders.

• Esophageal sphincters.

• Esophagitis.

• Esophageal spasm.

What Are the Preventive Measures for Benign Esophageal Tumors?

The preventive measures for benign esophageal tumors are:

• A person consuming alcoholic beverages should take them in moderation.

• A person should also avoid smoking as it can aggravate the condition or can cause one.

• A person should maintain a healthy weight, as obesity can cause various health complications and interfere with tumor management.

• A person must eat fresh and healthy fruits and vegetables because canned food can be a source of tumor or cancer-causing agents.

What Are the Common Symptoms Caused by Various Benign Tumors of the Body?

• Bleeding occurs if the tumor is present in the uterus.

• Blurred vision if a benign tumor occurs in the brain. It can also cause seizures and headaches.

• A person can lose appetite and weight if a tumor is present in the stomach or intestinal region.

• A tumor in the respiratory tract (nose, mouth, lungs, and throat) can cause breathing difficulties.

• A person can feel discomfort or pain in any body area if the tumor is present.

• A benign tumor can be felt on the skin as it appears raised, discolored, firm, round, smooth, and have an even surface and edges.

• Skin tumors are rough or smooth to the touch and appear firm when pressed with fingers.

What Are the Different Types of Benign Tumors in the Body?

• Adenoma - Present in organs and glands

• Hemangioma - Present in blood vessels.

• Fibroma - The tumor is present in connective tissues and ligaments.

• Condroma - This appears in cartilages of the body.

• Lipoma - These are present beneath the skin and occur from fat cells.

• Meningioma - It is present in the meninges, the brain's outer layer.

• Lymphangioma - It appears in the lymphatic system or the mucous membrane of the nose and eyes.

• Neuroma - This appears within the nerves of the body.

• Myoma - These appear in the gastrointestinal tract and uterus.

• Osteoma - These tumors grow from the bones.

Conclusion

Benign esophageal tumors are less detectable because they are usually asymptomatic and tiny in size. However, endoscopy and other diagnostic aids for the examination can detect these benign tumors. Doctors often find these benign tumors incidentally when a person arrives with several other complaints and symptoms. These benign esophageal tumors are removed, and a biopsy is done for better diagnosis. Doctors usually recommend the removal of such tumors as they can turn into malignant lesions. Therefore, a person experiencing these symptoms must consult the doctor immediately.