Can Stomach Leiomyoma Be Cured?

Stomach leiomyoma is a benign condition. In the past, due to limited understanding of gastric smooth muscle tumors, many gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) were mistakenly classified as leiomyomas. Therefore, current diagnoses of stomach leiomyomas are generally considered non-cancerous. However, some cases diagnosed more than a decade ago may have included GISTs, which can be malignant in certain instances.

Complete surgical removal leads to a cure. If a stomach leiomyoma is confirmed and successfully removed through surgery, it can be completely cured. Unlike cancerous growths, there's no distinction between early and advanced stages for this condition.

Most cases do not present symptoms. In many cases, individuals with gastric leiomyomas experience no symptoms at all. These tumors are often discovered incidentally during routine medical checkups or imaging tests. Unless the tumor grows to a significant size—such as 5cm or 10cm—or is located near critical areas like the stomach's entrance or exit, it typically doesn't cause noticeable issues.

Large tumors may cause gastrointestinal obstruction. In rare cases, if the tumor becomes large enough or is located in a sensitive area, it may cause symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, a feeling of blockage during meals, or vomiting after eating. These symptoms usually indicate that the tumor is obstructing the gastrointestinal tract.

Diagnostic methods include endoscopy and imaging tests. Stomach leiomyomas are often detected through endoscopic exams, abdominal CT scans, or ultrasound imaging. However, before surgery, it can be challenging to determine whether a gastric mass is a leiomyoma, a stromal tumor, or another type of growth.

Early surgical intervention is recommended. If a mass larger than 1–2cm is detected in the stomach, doctors typically recommend prompt surgical removal. After the tumor is removed, a pathology report, possibly including immunohistochemistry, is necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Once confirmed as a stomach leiomyoma, the condition is considered cured following successful surgery.