Gastric schwannoma treated by endoscopic full-thickness resection and endoscopic purse-string suture: A case report

BACKGROUNDSchwannomas, also known as neurinomas, are tumors that derive from Schwann cells. Gastrointestinal schwannomas are extremely rare, but the stomach is the most common site. Gastric schwannomas are usually asymptomatic. Endoscopy and imaging modalities might offer useful preliminary diagnostic information. However, to diagnose schwannoma, the immunohistochemical positivity for S-100 protein is essential, whereas CD117, CD34, SMA, desmin, and DOG-1 are negative.CASE SUMMARYA 45-year-old female was found to have a gastric mass during a medical examination, which was diagnosed as a gastric schwannoma. We performed endoscopic full-thickness resection and endoscopic purse-string suture. Pathology and immunohistochemical staining confirmed the diagnosis of gastric schwannoma through the positivity of S-100 protein. Furthermore, to exclude the misdiagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumor, we performed a mutational detection of the c-Kit and PDGFRA genes. Postoperative follow-up revealed that the patient recovered well.CONCLUSIONImmunohistochemical staining is essential for the diagnosis of schwannoma. Endoscopic full-thickness resection is an effective treatment method for gastric schwannoma.     

Lipomatous hemangiopericytoma of the stomach: a case report and a review of literature

Lipomatous hemangiopericytomas (LHPCs) are rare soft-tissue tumors that are histologically characterized by hemangiopericytomatous vasculature and the presence of mature adipocytes. We present the clinicopathological features of a case of gastric LHPC in a 56-year-old female, along with a literature review. Endoscopy and endoscopic ultrasound showed a submucosal tumor 0.8 cm across in the greatest dimension in the lesser curvature side of the gastric antrum. Grossly, the well-defined mass had a solid and tan-white cut surface admixed with myxoid regions and yellowish areas. Histological examination revealed a submucosal well-circumscribed lesion composed of cellular nodules with the classic appearance of an hemangiopericytoma admixed with clusters and lobules of mature adipocytes. The ill-defined tumor cells had weakly eosinophilic cytoplasm and contained spindled nuclei with occasional small nucleoli. Nuclei atypia and mitoses were absent, and no cellular atypia, necrosis or vascular invasion was observed. Immunohistochemistry showed that the tumor cells were diffusely positive for CD34, CD99, and vimentin and were focally reactive for bcl-2. This is the first known report of an LHPC in the stomach. The patient was followed for 12 mo without any evidence of metastasis or recurrence.     

Histiocytic sarcoma with two immunohistopathologically distinct populations

This report is a case of histiocytic sarcoma (HS), in which tumor cells consist of two immunohistopathologically distinct populations (A) oval CD68+lysozyme+CD163- cells and (B) abundant cytoplasm or spindle-shaped CD68+lysozyme-CD163+ cells. Cervical lymph node was infiltrated mainly by population (A), where chemotherapy was quite effective. On the other hand, vast majority of infiltrated tumor cells in the hilar lymph node belonged to population (B), in which the cells were resistant to chemo-radiotherapy. Considering the poor prognosis of HS, the expression of CD163 could be a marker for resistance to chemo-radiotherapy. It is also notable that CD163-negative stage of HS may exist and still be reactive for the treatment.     

Disseminated MALT lymphoma associated with macroglobulinemia

We report a case of disseminated MALT lymphoma with macroglobulinemia in an 80-year-old man who presented with a persistent fever. A radiograph of the chest showed infiltration of the left lung and pleural effusion of the right lung. The fluid contained numerous atypical lymphoid cells, which were positive for CD19, CD20, and HLA-DR, and negative for CD5 and CD10. Analysis of a pleural biopsy sample demonstrated no abnormality. A CT scan of the abdomen showed extensive thickening of the wall of the stomach adjacent to a peritoneal mass. Endoscopic examination disclosed antral ulceration. Histopathological examination of gastric samples revealed infiltration by centrocyte-like cells and lymphoepithelial lesions. Serum electrophoresis detected a macroglobulin peak at 34.5 g/l, and immunoelectrophoresis revealed an IgM kappa component. A bone marrow aspirate showed infiltration by the same lymphoid cells as those in the pleural fluid. A chromosome study of the lymphoid cells from both the bone marrow and pleural fluid showed a normal karyotype. The final diagnosis was MALT lymphoma involving the stomach, lungs and bone marrow. The patient did not consent to chemotherapy, and instead was given oral prednisolone. He died of respiratory distress one year and four months after diagnosis. Autopsy revealed wide dissemination of the tumor cells.     

Solitary plexiform neurofibroma of the stomach:A case report

Plexiform neurofibroma(PN)of the digestive tract is very rare and usually part of the generalized syndrome of neurofibromatosis type 1(von Recklinghausen disease).Solitary PN of the stomach is extremely rare and has not been reported in the literatures.Here we present a case of solitary PN of the stomach,which was not associated with von Recklinghausen disease.A38-year-old male presented abdominal pain and distention for 7 d.The patient underwent endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract,which revealed a 3.5 cm protruding and cauliflower-shaped mass with a shallow1 cm central ulcer in the greater curvature of the stomach.The lesion was removed by laparoscopic surgery.Histological examination demonstrated characteristic histological findings of spindle-shaped cells.Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the tumor cells were positive for S-100 protein,but negative for CD34,KI-67,CD117,and actin.Based on histological findings,gastrointestinal stromal tumor could be excluded,and thus the case was confirmed as PN.We described the clinical features,physical examination,endoscopic findings,and histopathological examination of this case.     

Synchronous histiocytic sarcoma and diffuse large B cell lymphoma involving the stomach: a case report and review of the literature

We present a 62-year-old Chinese woman with histiocytic sarcoma (HS) and diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBL) located in the stomach. HS showed abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm with large, pleomorphic nuclei. Tumor giant and multinucleated cells were also prominent. Hemophagocytosis was common in the neoplastic cells. These cells were positive for CD68, CD45RO, and leukocyte common antigen (LCA), partly positive for S-100 and lysozyme, and negative for CD3, CD5, CD20, Pax-5, CD79a, CD1a, CD21, CD35, CD34, myeloperoxidase, HMB45 and cytokeratin (CK). These cells invaded the submucosa, muscularis mucosa, and serosa. DLBL was located in the mucosa and engulfed the covering epithelium and gland. The nuclei of tumor cells were medium-to-large in size, being ≥twice the size of normal lymphocytes. They were diffusely positive for CD20, Pax-5, and LCA, partly positive for vimentin, CD79a, CD10, CD30, CD15, and epithelial membrane antigen, and negative for S-100, CD1a, CD21, CD5, cyclin D1, CD23, CD35, HMB45, and CD68. Both types of tumor cell were positive for Oct-2, Bcl-2, and Bcl-6. These results suggest that HS may have shared a common clonal origin with DLBL, or may have transdifferentiated from DLBL The patient refused further chemotherapy, and died 7 months after surgical resection.     

Two cases of gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the stomach with lymph node metastasis

Lymph node metastasis from gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is quite rare. We report two cases of gastric GIST with nodal metastases and results of their mutation analyses. In the first case (78-year-old male), a mass 4.0 cm in size was located at the gastric cardia. Proximal gastrectomy was performed. In the other case (40-year-old female), the gastric tumor was 2.5 cm in size. Computed tomography scan revealed a hepatic metastasis. Imatinib mesylate was administered as primary treatment, at the patient's preference, but the tumors exhibited no response. Wedge resection of the stomach and partial hepatectomy were performed. In both cases, histological examination revealed that the tumors consisted of spindle cells. In the former case, there was an isolated lymph node metastasis at the right cardia. In the latter, three of 5 sampled nodes adjacent to the tumor were positive. In both cases, immunohistochemical analyses showed that primary and metastatic tumors were diffusely positive for CD117 and CD34 and negative for desmin and S100-protein. In the former case, there was a deletion mutation in CD117 exon 11, the most common genotype in GIST. In the latter, there were no detectable mutations in CD117 or platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha.     

Diagnostic utility of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fineneedle aspiration biopsy for glomus tumor of the stomach

A 52-year-old man was referred for further investigation of a gastric submucosal tumor on the greater curvature of the antrum. Endoscopic ultrasonography demonstrated a hypoechoic solid mass, which was primarily connected to the muscular layer of the stomach. We performed endoscopic ultrasoundguided fine-needle aspiration biopsy. The pathological examination showed proliferation of oval-shaped cells with nest formation, which stained strongly positive for muscle actin, and negative for c-kit, CD34, CD56,desmin, S-100, chromogranin, and neuron-specific enolase. Therefore, we performed laparoscopy and endoscopy cooperative surgery based on the preoperative diagnosis of glomus tumor of the stomach. The final histological diagnosis confirmed the preoperative diagnosis. Although preoperative diagnosis of glomus tumor of the stomach is difficult with conventional images and endoscopic biopsy, endoscopic ultrasoundguided fine-needle aspiration biopsy is an essential tool to gain histological evidence of glomus tumor of the stomach for early diagnosis.     

A case of gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the stomach mimicking a primary tumor of the omentum minus due to the extramural growth

We report a case of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) of the stomach mimicking a primary tumor of the omentum minus. The tumor presented as an isolated mass in the omentum minus without any adhesion to the stomach. Microscopic examination revealed that the tumor pseudocapsule on the gastric side included a small smooth muscle tissue component. The patient was given a diagnosis of a gastric GIST that showed extensive extramural growth. GISTs should not be defined by the localization of the tumor.     

Solitary AFP- and PIVKA-II-producing hepatoid gastric cancer with giant lymph node metastasis

A 61-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. The patient had anemia and elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) (9630ng/mL) and PIVKA-II (91mAU/mL) levels. Roentgenographic examination revealed an extra-gastric tumor in the upper abdomen, and gastroscopy revealed Bormann type 2 gastric cancer in the lower portion of the stomach. The preoperative diagnosis was synchronous gastric cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and surgery was performed. The extra-gastric tumor appeared to be an extra-hepatically growing HCC because the tumor was fed by vessels ramifying from the umbilical portion of the liver. Distal gastrectomy with resection of the extra-gastric tumor was performed, and histological examination of the resected specimen revealed that the gastric cancer was an AFP-producing hepatoid gastric adenocarcinoma and that the extra-gastric tumor was a lymph node metastasis. AFP-producing hepatoid gastric adenocarcinoma tends to metastasize to the regional lymph nodes and form a giant tumor. A giant tumor in the upper abdomen associated with gastric cancer may therefore be a clinical manifestation of AFP-producing hepatoid gastric adenocarcinoma.     

Huge undifferentiated carcinoma of the pancreas with osteoclast-like giant cells

Undifferentiated carcinoma of the pancreas with osteoclast-like giant cells(OGCs)is very rare,less than1%of all pancreatic malignancies,and shows worse prognosis than that of invasive ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas.We present a case of en bloc resection for a huge undifferentiated carcinoma with OGCs that invaded the stomach and transverse mesocolon.A 67-year female was admitted for left upper quadrant pain and computed tomography demonstrated a mass occupying the lesser sac and abutting the stomach and pancreas.There were no distant metastases and the patient underwent subtotal pancreatectomy with splenectomy,total gastrectomy,and segmental resection of the transverse colon.Histopathological examination confirmed an 11 cm-sized undifferentiated carcinoma of the pancreas with OGCs.Immunohistochemical staining revealed reactivity with pan-cytokeratin in adenocarcinoma component,with vimentin in neoplastic multinucleated cells,with CD45/CD68 in OGCs,and with p53 in tumor cells,respectively.The patient had suffered from multiple bone metastases and survived9 mo after surgery.This case supports the ductal epithelial origin of undifferentiated carcinoma with OGCs and early diagnosis could result in favorable surgical outcomes.Investigations on the surgical role and prog-nostic factors need to be warranted in this tumor.     

Clinicopathological features of gastric glomus tumor

AIM:To study the clinicopathological features of gastric glomus tumor and review the related Chinese literature published in 1990-2010.METHODS:A case of gastric glomus tumor was re-ported.Clinicopathological findings in 56 cases of gastric glomus tumor were analyzed.RESULTS:Gastric glomus tumor was far more common in women than in men with a female to male ratio of 1.6:1.The median age of the patients was 45 years(range 28-79 years).The patients often complained of epigastric pain and bloody stool.The tumor was located in antrum of the stomach.The greatest diameter of the tumor was 0.8-11cm.Histologically,the tumor was comprised of nests of glomus cells surrounding the capillaries.Glomus cells were small,uniform and round.Vimentin,smooth muscle actin and actin were expressed in the tumor.Other markers,including S-100 protein,CD34,CD117,desmin,CD56,synaptophysin,chromo-granin A,neuron specific enolase and cytokeratin were all negative.CONCLUSION:Gastric glomus tumor is a rare benign mesenchymal neoplasm.Its diagnosis depends on pathologic examination.Differential diagnosis includes gastrointestinal stromal tumor,paraganglioma and carcinoid tumor.     

A case of gastric lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma presenting as panperitonitis by perforation of stomach

Gastric lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma is a rare carcinoma among gastric malignant tumor but has a good prognosis. The carcinoma has histologic feature characterized by small nest of cancer cells mixed with lymphoid stroma. We report a case with lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of stomach initially presenting as panperitonitis because of spontaneous tumor perforation. A 56-year-old man visited our emergency room because of epigastric pain. A preoperative abdominal CT scan showed a massive pneumoperitoneum in the upper abdomen, and the presence of gastric cancer in the lesser curvature of the stomach. An emergent laparotomy was performed followed by radical subtotal gastrectomy. Pathologic examination revealed that the tumor was a lymphoepithelioma-like gastric carcinoma.     

Langerhans cell histiocytosis of an adult with tumors in liver and spleen

We describe a 58-year-old male with multiple histiocytic tumors in the liver and spleen. Multiple tumors in the liver and spleen were seen by image analysis, and splenectomy showed a large splenic tumor with a small nodule and a swelling lymph node in the hilus. Histological features of the tumors in the liver and spleen revealed proliferation of histiocytic cells with large and clear cytoplasm and a horseshoe-shaped nucleus. Immunohistochemical studies revealed the presence of S-100 protein and CD1a antigen in the tumor cells, and neither lymphocytic marker nor lysozyme was detected. No definite Birbeck granules were seen ultrastructurally, thus the tumor cells could be classified into Langerhans cell type without Birbeck granules. Administration of adriamycin, vincristine, cyclophosphamide and prednisolone reduced size and number of the liver tumors, and the histiocytic cells could not be detected in repeatedly biopsied tissue from liver tumor. We present the clinical, immunohistological and cytological features in a visceral type of adult Langerhans cell histiocytosis, which responded well to chemotherapy.     

Gastric stromal tumor with myxoid degeneration. Report of a case and review of the literature

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST's) represent a heterogeneous group of neoplasms that have as their common histologic denominator an immature proliferation of epithelioid or spindle cells. Although originally believed to represent atypical variants of leiomyoma or leiomyosarcoma, recent studies have demonstrated that only a subset of such tumors actually display well developed immunohistochemical, ultrastructural features of smooth muscle differentiation. Most gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumors are of uncertain histogenesis. Current studies have shown a striking morphological and immunophenotypic similarities of these tumors with the interstitial cells of Cajal. And that they may originate from stem cells that differentiate toward a pacemaker cell phenotype. Most GIST's have a co-expression of Kit (CD117) or CD34, which is also express in interstitial cells of Cajal. OBJECTIVE: This review will attempt to summarize the current knowledge and understanding of these lesions based on review of the literature, with an analysis of the criteria for distinguishing between benign and malignant tumors. METHOD: We report a Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor of the stomach with prominent cystic degeneration. The patient had diarrhea, abdominal pain and was found to have abdominal mass. X-ray and computed axial tomography examination showed a lesion that seems to be a pancreatic cystic lesion. At laparotomy a large intramural tumor located in the stomach was found. Histologically, the lesion was composed of epithelioid and spindle cells embedded in an abundant myxoid stroma. Tumor cells showed positive staining for vimentin and CD34 positive. We conclude that the diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumor whit prominent cystic degeneration can be made in this case.     

A Case of Early Gastric Cancer Manifesting as a Submucosal Tumor

Abstract: Gastric cancer manifesting as a submucosal tumor (SMT) is not common. A gastric barium meal and endoscopic studies performed on a 49-year-old male with epigastric pain, revealed an elevated lesion with bridging folds and central depression on the posterior wall of the lower body. An endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) revealed a hypoechoic mass lesion within the submucosal layer. Due to an increase in the size of the tumor and its central depression during the subsequent year and a half, the patient was admitted for closer examination. Endoscopic biopsy material from the deeper layer, obtained by mucosal resection, revealed a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Microscopic examination of the resected stomach showed a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma within the submucosal layer, with considerable lymphocyte infiltration. Immunohistological examination disclosed marked T cell infiltration adjacent to the cancer cells. We suggest that considerable lymphocyte infiltration, particularly T cells, may have some role in the protective reaction against cancer cells. Our case was diagnosed as being cancer 18 months after the first endoscopic study. The biopsy material taken from the depression at the time of the first examination showed benign findings and a EUS revealed typical SMT. In the case of SMT shown by EUS to be a hypoechoic mass lesion in the submucosal layer, it is recommended that biopsy material be obtained from the deeper layer using methods available such as artificial ulcer formation.     

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor presenting with prominent calcification

We present a rare case of a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) in the stomach with prominent calcification at presentation. A 61-year-old woman visited our hospital because of epigastric discomfort. A spherical calcified lesion with a diameter of about 30 mm was incidentally shown in the left upper quadrant on an abdominal X-ray. Computed tomography demonstrated that the tumor was growing from the upper gastric body, with calcification in the peripheral ring area. A laparoscopic partial gastrectomy was performed, and the resected specimen revealed a well-circumscribed tumor with exophytic growth from the gastric muscularis propria. Microscopic examination revealed spindle-shaped tumor cells with calcification and hemorrhage. Additionally, positive immunoreactivity of the tumor to KIT and CD34 and a low mitotic index resulted in the diagnosis of very low risk GIST. There are a few case reports of heavily calcified GIST, although solitary or punctate calcification of primary GIST has been reported in several case series. Dystrophic calcification of necrotic or degenerative tissue is the supposed cause of primary calcified GISTs. In contrast, appearance of calcification after administration of imatinib mesylate, which may be one indicator of disease response, is possibly caused by a different mechanism.     

Spontaneous Rupture of a Gastric Stromal Tumor Causing Hemoperitoneum

We describe a 39-year-old man with spontaneous rupture of a gastric stromal tumor causing hemoperitoneum. Ultrasonography showed a large mass broadly abutting the stomach and liver. Computed tomography demonstrated a heterogeneous enhanced mass arising from the stomach and focal perforation of the tumor with hemoperitoneum; endoscopic ultrasonography showed an exophytic heterogeneous mass originating from the gastric muscle layer. Angiography revealed that the right gastric artery was the main artery supplying the tumor. A gastric stromal tumor with bloody fluid in the peritoneal cavity was seen at the laparotomy. The tumor was excised completely, and subsequent histological and immunohistochemical studies indicated that it was a gastric stromal tumor. We report a relatively rare case of gastric stromal tumor causing hemoperitoneum due to spontaneous rupture of the tumor.     

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)- and des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP)-producing adenocarcinoma of the stomach with liver metastasis in a patient with chronic hepatitis C

A 45-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of chronic hepatitis C and a large liver tumor accompanied by increased serum levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP), the tumor markers for hepatocellular carcinoma. Endoscopic examination revealed advanced gastric cancer. Biopsy specimens of the stomach and liver showed gastric adenocarcinoma and its metastasis to the liver. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated that adenocarcinoma cells both of the stomach and liver, were positive for the antibodies against AFP as well as DCP. Expression of AFP mRNA was shown in the cancer cells of the stomach. Accordingly, we diagnosed this patient with AFP- and DCP-producing adenocarcinoma of the stomach together with liver metastasis.