Published online Nov 26, 2020. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v8.i22.5690
Peer-review started: June 23, 2020
First decision: July 24, 2020
Revised: August 15, 2020
Accepted: October 19, 2020
Article in press: October 19, 2020
Published online: November 26, 2020
Esophageal schwannomas are uncommon esophageal submucosal benign tumors and are usually treated with surgery.
Here, we report three cases of middle/lower thoracic esophageal schwannoma treated successfully with endoscopic resection. These lesions were misdiagnosed as leiomyoma on preoperative imaging. During the endoscopic resection of such tumors, there is a risk of esophageal perforation due to their deep location. If possible, submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection should be used.
For larger schwannomas, endoscopy combined with thoracoscopy can be considered for en bloc resection. We performed a mini literature review in order to present the current status of diagnosis and treatment for esophageal schwannoma.
Core Tip: Most esophageal schwannomas are rare submucosal lesions, and malignant esophageal schwannoma has been reported. We summarize three cases of esophageal schwannoma with successful endoscopic resection. They were misdiagnosed as leiomyoma or cystic solid tumors based on endoscopic ultrasound before surgery. Small lesions in a suitable location can be removed endoscopically by experienced endoscopists using endoscopic submucosal excision or submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection. For larger lesions (> 3 cm), especially tumors with cystic degeneration, endoscopic treatment may not be suitable. For such lesions, robot-assisted thoracoscopic excision or endoscopic treatment combined with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery may be a better option.