Impact of Tumor Size on Endoluminal Resection of Subepithelial Tumors of the Esophagus

Subepithelial tumors arise from gastrointestinal wall layers outside of the mucosa. These lesions in the esophagus are mostly benign, but some tumors arising from the muscularis propria have malignant potential. Management includes surveillance or resection, which was conventionally performed with surgery; contemporary resection techniques include endoscopic resection or thoracoscopic resection. Increasing data suggests high rates of complete and en-bloc resection with endoscopic approach with a low adverse event profile. Candidacy for endoscopic resection of esophageal subepithelial tumors should be determined based on size, morphology, location, etiology, and a shared decision-making approach with the patient in the context of available endoscopic expertise.