AIM: To retrospectively evaluate our experience with the diagnosis and surgical resection of esophageal gastrointestinal stromal tumors(GISTs).METHODS: Between January 2003 and August 2014, five esophageal GIST cases were admitted to our hospital. In this study, the hospital records, surgery outcomes, tumor recurrence and survival of these patients were retrospectively reviewed.RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 45.6 years(range: 12-62 years). Three patients presented with dysphagia, and one patient presented with chest discomfort. The remaining patient was asymptomatic. Four patients were diagnosed with esophageal GISTs by a preoperative endoscopic biopsy. Three patients underwent esophagectomy, and two patients underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. The mean operating time was 116 min(range: 95-148 min), and the mean blood loss was 176 m L(range: 30-300 m L). All tumors were completely resected. The mean length of postoperative hospital stay was 8.4 d(range: 6-12 d). All patients recovered and were discharged successfully. The median postoperative follow-up duration was 48 mo(range: 29-72 mo). One patient was diagnosed with recurrence, one patient was lost to follow-up, and three patients were asymptomatic and are currently being managed with close radiologic and clinical follow-up.CONCLUSION:Surgery is the standard,effective and successful treatment for esophageal GISTs.Longterm follow-up is required to monitor recurrence and metastasis. AIM: To retrospectively evaluate our experience with the diagnosis and surgical resection of esophageal gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). METHODS: Between January 2003 and August 2014, five esophageal GIST cases were admitted to our hospital. In this study, the hospital records, surgery outcomes, tumor recurrence and survival of these patients were retrospectively reviewed .RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 45.6 years (range: 12-62 years). Three patients presented with dysphagia, and one patient presented with chest discomfort. The remaining patient Four patients were diagnosed with esophageal GISTs by a preoperative endoscopic biopsy. Three patients underwent esophagectomy, and two patients underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. The mean operating time was 116 min (range: 95-148 min), and the mean The mean length of postoperative hospital stay was 8.4 days (range: 6-12 days). All tumors were completely resected. All patients recovered and were discharged successfully. The median postoperative follow-up duration was 48 mo (range: 29-72 mo). One patient was diagnosed with recurrence, one patient was lost to follow-up, and three patients were asymptomatic and are currently being managed with close radiologic and clinical follow-up. CONCLUSION: Surgery is the standard, effective and successful treatment for esophageal GISTs. Longterm follow-up is required to monitor recurrence and metastasis.