Submucosal Lesions in Illinois

There are a variety of different types of submucosal lesions. These include:

• Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GISTs): GISTS often occur during the fifth or sixth decade of life and commonly occur in either the stomach or small intestine. GISTs vary in size and are more symptomatic the larger they are. These symptoms often include GI tract bleeding, abdominal pain, bowel obstruction, and anorexia. Roughly 10 percent of these tumors are malignant. Surgically removing the tumor is often the desired treatment process for GISTs.
• Leiomyomas: These tumors are benign and often appear in the distal end of the esophagus. They're usually small and asymptomatic but may cause dysphagia. Since they're asymptomatic, they don't require treatment. However, surgical removal may be suggested in symptomatic cases.
• Lipomas: Lipomas are benign tumors that contain fat and may appear anywhere in the GI tract. They're typically asymptomatic, but they can cause obstruction, abdominal pain, or bleeding in some cases. If this happens, surgery may be suggested to remove the lipoma.
• Granular Cell Tumors: These tumors are rare neoplasms. When they occur in the GI tract, they're often found in the esophagus or the oropharynx. Treating these tumors usually involves surgery. However, if the tumor is on the small side and asymptomatic, our Illinois team may choose to monitor it regularly before performing surgery.
• Duplication Cysts: These cysts are a rare birth defect that are often found in the colon, ileum, or esophagus. Generally, they are asymptomatic and found during a routine endoscopy or radiographic imaging. They sometimes will cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, dysphagia, obstruction, perforation, hemorrhaging, jaundice, or even pancreatitis. Treatment for these cysts can include surgical excision or fine-needle aspiration.
• Carcinoid Tumors: These tumors occur from endocrine and nerve tissue. They may be benign or malignant. They often occur near the appendix, rectal area, and ileum. Some common symptoms include abdominal pain, constipation, and diarrhea. We generally suggest surgical resection and continued monitoring as a way to treat these tumors.
• Ectopic Pancreas: These lesions contain pancreatic tissues and are often found in the distal stomach, jejunum, and duodenum. Generally, they are asymptomatic but they could cause obstruction, bleeding, pancreatitis, or become malignant. Treatment depends on severity but could include anything from routine observation to surgical resection.