INTESTINE Vol.12 No.1(1-2)

Theme Mesenchymal neoplasms of the colon and rectum : excluding lymphoproliferative disorders
Title Diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for non-epithelial tumors of lower digestive tract
Publish Date 2008/01
Author Seiji Shimizu Department of Gastroenterology, JR West Osaka Railway Hospital
Author Wataru Fukuda Department of Gastroenterology, JR West Osaka Railway Hospital
Author Mika Mihara Department of Gastroenterology, JR West Osaka Railway Hospital
Author Yoko Kitaguchi Department of Gastroenterology, JR West Osaka Railway Hospital
Author Motoki Watanabe Department of Gastroenterology, JR West Osaka Railway Hospital
Author Hajime Honjo Department of Gastroenterology, JR West Osaka Railway Hospital
Author Yasuhide Mitsumoto Department of Gastroenterology, JR West Osaka Railway Hospital
Author Takahiro Mori Department of Gastroenterology, JR West Osaka Railway Hospital
Author Hideo Tomioka Department of Gastroenterology, JR West Osaka Railway Hospital
[ Summary ] Non-epithelial tumors appear as submucosal tumors. However, the latter include epithelial tumors and non-tumorous lesions as well. Accordingly, a diagnosis of non-epithelial tumors is differential diagnosis of submucosal tumors. In symptomatic cases, bloody stools and abdominal pain are major symptoms and the lesions are generally large. In asymptomatic cases, lesions are incidentally found with colonoscopy or barium enema X-rays and are generally small. The information necessary for differential diagnosis includes location, number, size, growth pattern, shape, surface properties, localization in the wall, color, consistency, internal properties, blood perfusion, hemorrhaging, and others. Commonly used modalities are colonoscopy, barium enema X-rays, ultrasonography (extracorporal and endoscopic), CT, MRI, and angiography. The information gathered varies by modality. When diagnosis is not confirmed by imaging modalities alone, histopathological evaluation becomes necessary. In such instance, histological specimens are usually obtained with endoscopic biopsy / resection or surgical operations.
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