Leiomyoma of the stomach: causes, symptoms, surgery and treatment

Tumors of the gastrointestinal tract - this is a common problem, which recently attracts doctors from all over the world. Benign neoplasms do not threaten the health of the patient, but require timely treatment. Among such pathologies is the stomach leiomyoma. The main causes, symptoms and methods of treating the disease will be discussed in this article.

General information

Leiomyoma of the stomach is a benign formation consisting of smooth muscle cells. Its size can vary from 2 to 5 cm. The tumor has clear boundaries and a flat surface. Pathology is characterized by an asymptomatic course. For several years the patient may not be aware of health problems. An increase in the tumor in size is usually accompanied by severe pain, bleeding. Such a clinical picture is a signal for the operation and removal of pathology.

Good-quality education develops gradually. They do not spread to other organs and do not exert pressure on the tissues. Therefore, many people ignore the symptoms of leiomyoma and neglect timely treatment. The lack of therapy, as well as the impact of a number of unfavorable factors, promotes the transformation of the tumor into malignant formation. Otherwise, this disease is called leiomyosarcoma.

Causes of tumor formation

Any violation in the work of the body has its own reasons. The trigger mechanism of tumor formation, including benign, is certain negative factors. Among them, the greatest influence on the human body is provided by the following:

1. Inclusion in the diet of fatty, spicy and fried foods.
2. Electromagnetic and radiation radiation.
3. Intoxication of the body with chemicals.
4. Inflammatory diseases of the stomach.
5. Failure in the immune system.
6. Abuse of alcohol and smoking.
7. Frequent depression, psycho-emotional overload.
8. Hereditary predisposition.

Leiomyoma of the stomach belongs to the category of slowly progressing tumors. From the time of formation to the appearance of the first symptoms, it may take more than six months. Therefore, it is very difficult to determine the reason for its development. Sometimes the disease occurs under the influence of several factors simultaneously.

Signs of the pathological process

The disease is characterized by asymptomatic course. The appearance of the first signs of a leiomyoma signals the onset of a process of ulceration, when pathology passes into a life-threatening form. Timeliness of treatment of the patient to the doctor determines the duration of treatment and the forecast for the future. Therefore, to wait for relief and hope for an independent solution to the problem is not worth it. Among the most characteristic symptoms for stomach leiomyoma are:

• Dizziness, weakness, general malaise;
• Pallor of the skin;
• The appearance of blood impurities in the feces;
• Weight loss;
• "Hungry pain" at night.

Methods of diagnosis

The condition of the digestive tract can be checked during the annual medical examination. Given the asymptomatic course of leiomyoma, patients with GI disorders should pay special attention to the medical examination.

The appearance of signs of the disease obliges you to consult a gastroenterologist for advice. If a benign tumor is suspected, the specialist initially collects the patient's anamnesis, asks a number of clarifying questions. Then he goes on to instrumental diagnostics, which usually includes radiography, CT and gastroduodenoscopy. A full medical examination makes it possible to identify the formation, to determine its exact localization and character. Based on the results obtained, the gastroenterologist prescribes a course of therapy, and also gives his recommendations to the patient on nutrition.

Methods of treatment of a tumor

The doctor chooses the tactics for treatment of the disease, taking into account the shape and location of the lesion. The most effective method is surgical removal of stomach leiomyoma. Conservative therapy rarely brings the desired results.

To remove a small formation (up to 3 cm) use an endoscope followed by freezing pathological areas. Cryoprocedures inhibit the growth of the tumor, allow to completely destroy diseased cells. A different approach requires a large (more than 3 cm) leiomyoma of the stomach. Treatment involves a cavitary operation, in which the surgeon excises 2 cm of healthy tissue from the border of the tumor. In malignant neoplasm, an oncologist must be consulted. The course of therapy in this case is selected individually.

Treatment after surgery

After removal of the tumor, the patient is prescribed medication. Its main goal is to reduce the inflammatory process, to prevent the development of complications. Usually patients are prescribed drugs that are responsible for reducing the production of hydrochloric acid, and antibiotics. The use of the latter is due to the etiology of the disease - the presence of the Helicobacter pylori bacterium.

During recovery from surgery, it is important for the patient to rest. In the next 3-6 months, it is counter-indicative of intense physical stress, stress. At this time, you can not exercise, overeat, return to addictions. It is better to forget about the last ones until the end of life. A special role in the rehabilitation period belongs to the diet. It will be discussed further in the article.

Alternative medicine

One of the components of treatment is proper nutrition. When leiomyoma of the stomach is important to adhere to all the recommendations of the doctor, including after recovery. What products are prohibited? At the time of treatment should be excluded from the diet of fried and fatty foods, which can irritate the gastric mucosa. It is also necessary to abandon the "heavy" products (mushrooms, meat). Under the ban come alcoholic beverages and coffee. Useful for the stomach will be various cereals, vegetable purees, low-fat varieties of meat and fish. An alternative to tea can be herbal preparations.

Phytotherapy has proved itself from the positive side among patients with a diagnosis of "stomach leiomyoma." Treatment by folk remedies can be prescribed by a doctor, taking into account the stage of the pathological process and the age of the patient. With benign tumors, alternative medicine recommends taking vegetable juices, decoctions with sea buckthorn and pine. Once again, it should be noted that the prescriptions of folk healers can not act as an alternative to surgical or medicamental treatment. Usually they are used as a supplement when the recovery stage comes.

Prognosis of the disease

What is the stomach leiomyoma forecast? In most cases, it is favorable. However, it is necessary to take into account the insidiousness of this disease. The pathological process can quickly transform into malignant under the influence of aggressive factors. Therefore, in this issue an important role is given to timely diagnosis of the tumor, competent treatment.

The most effective way to combat the disease is surgical intervention. According to statistics, the risk of relapse after surgery is minimal. If at the stage of diagnosis the malignant character of the tumor is determined, a course of chemotherapy is prescribed. In this situation, five-year survival is observed in 25% of cases.

Preventive measures

Leiomyoma of the stomach is a serious problem that requires competent treatment. Over time, it can be reborn and become a threat to human health. Therefore, it is important to periodically undergo a preventive examination, especially for people who have crossed the border in 50 years. To prevent the pathological process in the digestive system, doctors recommend eating right. Refusal to smoke and use of alcoholic beverages is another component of the prevention of leiomyoma. Inflammatory diseases of the stomach can not be started. Timely treatment is the key to a quick recovery and no relapse. If the stomach leiomyoma has already been removed, the operation was successful, it is recommended that every six months be examined gastroscopically. Be healthy!