| Theme |
Managements of Submucosal Tumors (SMT) in the Gastrointestinal Tract |
| Title |
Concept and Differential Diagnosis of Gastrointestinal Submucosal Tumors |
| Author |
Keiko Niimi |
Department of Center for Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo / Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo |
| Author |
Chihiro Minatsuki |
Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo |
| Author |
Rei Ishibashi |
Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo |
| Author |
Naoki Tamura |
Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo |
| Author |
Nobutake Yamamichi |
Department of Center for Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo / Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo |
| Author |
Mitsuhiro Fujishiro |
Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo / Department of Endoscopy and Endoscopic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo |
| Author |
Kazuhiko Koike |
Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo |
| [ Summary ] |
Submucosal tumors are defined as intramurally developed, localized tumors, fully or incompletely covered with unaffected mucosa. Epithelial and non-epithelial, non-neoplastic and neoplastic, benign and malignant lesions are included under this definition. Submucosal tumors are found by chance during gastrointestinal endoscopy or computed tomography (CT), and their diagnoses range from mesenchymal tumors, such as leiomyoma and gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), to lipoma and cystic lesions. It is sometimes difficult to diagnose these tumors with conventional endoscopy alone, and other modalities including endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), CT, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are important for diagnosis. In clinical practice, it is necessary to understand the morphological features of each lesion in order to select a therapeutic strategy. |