| [ Summary ] |
Gastric submucosal tumors include lipomas, ectopic pancreas, inflammatory fibroid polyps, neuroendocrine tumors, and mesenchymal tumors such as gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), leiomyoma, and schwannoma. Endoscopic ultrasonography is generally useful for preoperative diagnosis. For gastric submucosal tumors, examination and treatment should be carried out according to the algorithm published by the Japan Society of Clinical Oncology. The majority of gastric submucosal tumors encountered in actual clinical settings are less than 2 cm in diameter and asymptomatic. Follow-up is generally acceptable for patients with these tumors. In contrast, tumors with the following features should be resected：symptomatic, with a diameter greater than 5.1 cm, with ulceration or marginal irregularities, with growth, or diagnosed as GIST. |