A clinicopathologic study of glomus tumor of the stomach

J Clin Gastroenterol. 2006 Sep;40(8):717-20. doi: 10.1097/00004836-200609000-00011.

Abstract

Glomus tumors are benign lesions and originate from modified smooth muscle cells of the glomus body. These tumors are commonly observed in the dermis or subcutis, but only rarely found in the stomach. Here we report a case of a 67-year-old patient in whom glomus tumor of the stomach was diagnosed after 10-day history of melena. We have reviewed the 13 cases selected from literature of gastric glomus tumor in Korean, including our case. The age of onset ranged from 30 to 68 years (median 54 y) with a strong female dominance (10 females and 3 males). The tumors typically presented with gastrointestinal bleeding or ulcerlike symptom, and 6 tumors had mucosal ulceration. The tumor sizes varied from 1.2 to 3.8 cm (median 2.5 cm), and all tumors presented in antrum of stomach. Microscopically, the tumors were well-circumscribed, and composed of uniform, small, round to polygonal cells. Mitotic activity was usually low. The characteristics of gastric glomus tumors in Korean patients are very similar to those of Western populations. Although gastric glomus tumors can be considered more likely benign, a small possibility of malignant behavior cannot be ruled out.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Glomus Tumor* / pathology
  • Glomus Tumor* / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Korea
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Stomach / pathology
  • Stomach Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Stomach Neoplasms* / physiopathology