Polyps of the esophagus are unusual; the most common is the benign leiomyoma, or stromal cell tumor. They are usually solitary, but multiple leiomyomatosis of the esophagus has been encountered rarely. Fibrovascular polyps, which are composed of fibrovascular tissue, are also rare. Because of the presence of fatty tissue in some of these tumors, fibrovascular polyps may appear to have low density on CT scan. They have a propensity to develop in the upper portion of the esophagus, as seen in this case (see figure).

Fibrovascular polyps occur particularly in the cervical region of older patients, which is the opposite of most esophageal tumors, occurring typically seen in the middle to distal esophagus. These polyps occur more commonly in men. Because of their soft nature, these tumors can grow quite large before producing symptoms. The cervical location exposes the polyps to repeated peristalsis and dragging by ingested materials that may cause the tumors to become pedunculated or mobile. The most dramatic clinical finding is when the patient states that he or she has regurgitated a mass into the oropharynx and then swallowed it. These tumors may cause bleeding. If large enough, airway obstruction has been reported in these very mobile tumors.

Granular cell tumors are also rare and are believed to originate in Schwann cells. However, only about 10% occur in the gastrointestinal tract, usually the esophagus. Squamous cell papillomas in the esophagus have been reported, more frequently in men. Most are asymptomatic. It is unclear whether papillomas are true neoplasms.