Giant leiomyosarcoma in the upper third of esophagus, a case report

Abstract

Esophageal leiomyosarcoma (ELMS) is a rare tumor of mesenchymal origin that develops from the smooth muscles of the esophagus. ELMS is typically located in the lower third of the esophagus. We herein report a patient who underwent surgical resection for ELMS, 80 mm in diameter, in the upper third of the esophagus. A 58-year-old man experienced difficulty swallowing, and his swallowing function gradually deteriorated about 6 months before admission. McCeowns operation, which is a kind of esophagectomy performed via the thoraco-laparo-cervicotomy approach, was conducted. The postoperative course was good, without complications, and he was discharged on postoperative day 13. A pathological examination revealed highly differentiated ELMS.