SMOOTH muscle tumors constitute approximately 1% of all gastrointestinal neoplasms. To date, 40 cases of leiomyoma and leiomyosarcoma of the colon have been described.1-6 It has been suggested that such tumors in the young have a different growth rate, aggressiveness, biologic potential, and radiosensitivity than those seen in adults. There is no report of a myomatous tumor arising from the cecum in a child.
Report of a Case
A 10-year-old boy was admitted to the pediatric service of the institute on Feb 27, 1968, with complaints of colicky pain in the right side of the abdomen and progressive distention during the last month. The pain, associated with vomiting, recurred every seven to eight days. There was no history of diarrhea, constipation, melena, or significant weight loss. Physical examination showed a slightly pale child weighing 24 kg (53 lb). There was no jaundice or lymphadenopathy. Palpation of the abdomen revealed