[Submucosal oesophageal tumours: diagnostics and treatment].

A submucosal oesophageal tumour consists of a submucosal oesophageal mass with normal overlying mucosa. Its broad differential diagnosis includes leiomyoma and gastro-intestinal stromal cell tumour. For a correct diagnosis and further management, an upper-gastrointestinal endoscopy and endosonography, together with a needle biopsy of the lesion for histology and for immunohistochemical analysis, are mandatory. Needle biopsies in tumours smaller than 2 cm are probably less reliable and in such cases, follow-up endoscopic ultrasonography is advised. We present two patients with submucosal oesophageal tumours and discuss their diagnostics and treatment plans.