Giant cell tumor of soft tissue of the colon: a case report and review of the literature

BMC Gastroenterol. 2022 Jun 27;22(1):317. doi: 10.1186/s12876-022-02391-x.

Abstract

Background: A giant cell tumor (GCT) is a benign neoplasm characterized by mixture of mononuclear cells and multinucleated cells. A GCT of soft tissue (GCT-ST) is developed in various extraosseous sites, but GCT-ST of the gastrointestinal tract is very rare. GCT-ST usually has a benign course, but rare cases reported malignant potential of the tumor. Therefore, complete resection is required to prevent local recurrence or distant metastasis.

Case presentation: A 53-year-old woman was admitted for follow-up colonoscopy who underwent the colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) of a laterally spreading tumor at the hepatic flexure 6 months ago. A colonoscopy showed a polypoid mass about 3.5 × 2.5 cm at the previous ESD site. As endoscopic finding showed a smooth multi-nodular tumor without submucosal invasion, we performed endoscopic mucosal resection. Based on pathological and immunohistochemical findings, the lesion was diagnosed as a GCT-ST in the colon. Follow-up colonoscopy performed 6 months later revealed no evidence of recurrence.

Conclusion: This is the first report of a GCT-ST identified in the colon. Although GCT-ST generally has a benign clinical course, complete resection should be performed to prevent local recurrence and metastasis.

Keywords: Case report; Endoscopic mucosal resection; Giant cell tumors; Soft tissue neoplasm.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Colon / pathology
  • Colonoscopy
  • Endoscopic Mucosal Resection*
  • Female
  • Giant Cell Tumors* / pathology
  • Giant Cell Tumors* / surgery
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged