Glomus tumor of the stomach: a rare cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding

Gastric Glomus Tumor

This case report describes glomus tumor of the stomach, a rare entity, which is a mesenchymal origin tumor. They are generally benign and account for nearly 1% of all gastrointestinal (GI) soft-tissue tumors. They are almost impossible to diagnose preoperatively because of the lack of specific characteristics and are often mistaken for GI stromal tumors (GISTs). In our hospital setup, a female aged 24 years, presented with right lumbar abdominal pain which after a thorough workup leads to the preoperative diagnosis of GIST, and distal gastrectomy with Roux-en-y anastomosis was done. However, pathological and immunohistochemical findings done after the surgery were found consistent with the diagnosis of gastric glomus tumor. Discovered on GIST-1 (DOG-1) nonreactivity is considered for the diagnosis of glomus tumor which helps in excluding the diagnosis of GIST, which is positive for DOG-1. Hence, it was concluded that differential diagnosis on the basis of immunohistochemical findings can lead to an accurate preoperative diagnosis and further targeted surgical intervention.

Rare malignant glomus tumor of the stomach with liver metastases

We report a case of a 72-year-old male admitted in our Unit with anemia and a 10 cm liver neoplasm. Computed tomography scan showed 2 lesions respectively in the II, III and, VIII segment of the liver. Surgical resection of the larger liver mass was performed and the tumor appeared as a solid-cystic mass and a diagnosis of malignant mesenchymal tumor not otherwise specified, was made. One month later a Computed tomography scan detected a dishomogeneous gastric mass, 6 cm in diameter, in the greater curvature, confirmed by esophagogastroduodenoscopy. The pathological diagnosis from endoscopic biopsy revealed a mesenchymal tumor requiring surgical removal for accurate diagnosis. The patient underwent relaparotomy and gastric resection and the pathological findings gave a diagnosis of a rare malignant glomic tumor of the stomach confirmed by the revision of previously performed hepatic resection classified as secondary lesion.

Glomus tumor of the stomach

Glomus tumor is a rare benign mesenchymal neoplasm derived from the glomus body, an arteriovenous shunt mainly located in dermis and subcutis. The most common localization of this tumor is extremities, especially nailbed. Glomus tumor in the gastrointestinal system is a rare condition. Here we report a gastric glomus tumor to raise awareness of this tumor and show the difficulties in the diagnosis.

Gastric glomus tumor

Gastric glomus tumors are rare, mesenchymal neoplasms, generally described as benign and account for nearly 1% of all gastrointestinal soft tissue tumors. The most common gastrointestinal site of involvement is the stomach, particularly the antrum. Gastric glomus tumors are submucosal tumors that lack specific clinical and endoscopic characteristics, and are often mistaken for the more common gastrointestinal stromal tumors. A 62-year-old Caucasian female presented with shortness of breath and a persistent cough. Clinical workup revealed a mass in the upper abdomen. After endoscopic ultrasound and fine needle aspiration raised concerns for cancer, the patient elected to proceed with exploratory laparotomy. A local resection was performed at the time of surgery. Pathologic and immunohistochemical findings following surgical resection were consistent with a gastric glomus tumor. Consideration of gastric glomus tumors in the differential diagnosis may optimize the chance for a more accurate preoperative diagnosis and targeted surgical intervention.

Incidental gastric glomus tumor after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy

Gastric glomus tumors (GGTs) are unusual benign, subepithelial, mesenchymal neoplasms of modified smooth muscle cells representing a neoplastic counterpart of glomus bodies. A 38-year-old woman was admitted to our clinic presenting morbid obesity. Routine preoperative evaluations, such as laboratory analysis, abdominal ultrasonography, and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, were performed. She underwent a classical laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). The postoperative course was uneventful and she was discharged for outpatient control. Her histopathology report revealed a GGT 0.8 cm in diameter. No further treatment was done and she had lost 28 kg at the postoperative sixth month. Here, we present the case of GGT, which was diagnosed incidentally after LSG.

Gastric Glomus Tumor: A Rare Cause of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding

A 24-year-old woman was referred to our department because of melena. These symptoms combined with severe anemia prompted us to perform an emergency upper endoscopy, which showed bleeding from an ulcerated 30 mm submucosal tumor in the gastric antrum. A computed tomography scan revealed a homogeneously enhanced mass, and endoscopic ultrasonography identified a well-demarcated mass in the third and fourth layers of the gastric wall. Because analysis of the possible medical causes remained inconclusive and the risk of rebleeding, laparoscopy-assisted gastric wedge resection was performed after administration of 10 units of red cell concentrate. Histological and immunohistological analysis revealed the tumor to be a gastric glomus tumor. Gastric submucosal tumors remain challenging to diagnose preoperatively as they show a variety of radiologic and clinicopathologic features and are associated with the risk of bleeding upon biopsy, as is indicated in the guidelines for gastric submucosal tumors. Gastric glomus tumors characteristically present with exsanguinating gastrointestinal hemorrhaging that often requires blood transfusion. Additionally, gastric submucosal tumors typically occur in elderly patients; however, this case involved a young patient who was 24 years old. Here, we describe this case in order to identify features that may aid in early differentiation of gastric submucosal tumors.

A rare submucosal tumour of stomach-glomus tumour: A case report

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Rare submucosal tumour of stomach.

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Incidence 1 in 100 gastrointestinal stromal tumour.

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Preoperative diagnosis is difficult.

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Immunohistochemistry gold standard tool for confirmation.

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Wedge resection is the treatment of choice.

Introduction

Glomus tumour (GT) of the stomach is a rare submucosal mesenchymal tumour. Gastric glomus tumours are clinically recognized as benign. Nevertheless, some show biological behaviour similar to that of malignant lesions and presurgical confirmation is often impossible.

Presentation of case

A 32 year old female who presented with epigastric pain and was subsequently investigated for a antral tumour of the stomach and Wedge resection of tumour was done. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated strong positivity of smooth muscle actin and vimentin with low rate of mitosis studied by ki-67.

Discussion

We discuss the preoperative investigation, the diagnostic problems and the surgical treatment of the patient with gastric glomus tumour.

Conclusion

Glomus tumours should be considered as differential diagnosis for submucosal tumours of stomach.

Gastric glomus tumor

Glomus tumors (GTs) are benign tumors originating from the glomus body which are usually solitary and small lesions. The vast majority are found in the distal extremities, particularly in the hand, wrist, foot and under the fingernails rarely involving visceral organs. Here we report a rare case of gastric GT presented to us with exsanguinating hematemesis and severe anemia. All the initial diagnostic tests were inconclusive. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography abdomen revealed a soft tissue density lesion within the first part of duodenum. Diagnostic laparotomy was planned and a mass of 3 × 2.5 × 2 cm was found at pylorus along greater curvature, without any evidence of lymphadenopathy or metastasis. Distal gastrectomy with gastrojejunostomy was done. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of a GT. Immunohistochemistry of tumor cells demonstrated smooth muscle actin and CD34 (very focal).

Glomus tumor in the stomach: A case report and review of the literature

This study reports a rare case of a 47-year-old female with a gastric glomus tumor who was admitted with epigastralgia. Endoscopic ultrasound revealed a protrusion on the posterior wall of the gastric antrum. Enhanced computed tomography confirmed the presence of a 10-mm mass. The tumor was resected, and immunohistochemistry revealed the tumor to be positive for smooth muscle actin and collagen type IV, and negative for synaptophysin, chromogranin A, laminin, S-100, cluster of differentiation (CD)34, CD31, CD99, cytokeratin (AE1/AE3), desmin and epithelial membrane antigen. The proliferation marker Ki-67 was positive in <5% of tumor cell nuclei. The clinical procedures with a review of the literature are reported.