| Theme |
Managements of Submucosal Tumors (SMT) in the Gastrointestinal Tract |
| Title |
Histopathological Diagnosis of Submucosal Tumors of the Digestive Tract |
| Author |
Hiroshi Kawachi |
Department of Pathology, The Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research |
| [ Summary ] |
This article describes the histopathological structure of submucosal tumor-like lesions in the gastrointestinal tract and the histopathological characteristics of these lesions in each organ. The primary main locus of the tumor (lamina propria mucosa or the muscularis mucosa, the submucosa, muscularis propria, and extramural regions) and histopathological findings should be considered in establishing a clinical differential diagnosis endoscopically or radiologically. Accurate and conclusive histopathological diagnosis can be established for small biopsy samples only when the specimens are of an adequate quantity and quality and when the lesion shows characteristic histopathological features. Definitive diagnosis is difficult for lesions comprising non-specific tissue, and a multidisciplinary approach is recommended. |