| Theme |
Mesenchymal neoplasms of the colon and rectum : excluding lymphoproliferative disorders |
| Title |
Diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for non-epithelial tumors of lower digestive tract |
| 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. |