Letters to the Editor
1130-0108/2016/108/2/108-109Revista española de enfeRmedades digestivasCopyRight © 2016 aRán ediCiones, s. l.
Rev esp enfeRm dig (Madrid)Vol. 108, N.º 2, pp. 108-109, 2016
Gastric neuroendocrine tumor presenting with gastrointestinal bleeding
Key words: Endoscopic submucosal dissection. Gastric neuroen-docrine tumor. Gastrointestinal bleeding.
Dear Editor,
The most reported manifestations of gastric neuroendocrine tumor (GNETs) are non-specific symptoms such as epigastric pain, nausea, dyspepsia, etc. Gastrointestinal bleeding is an uncommon manifestation in GNETs patients and only few cases have been reported (1-4). This letter to editor describes a gastric polypoid lesion presenting with melena which was ultimately diagnosed with GNETs.
Case report
A 49-year-old woman came to our hospital with a week history of melena. There was no family history of gastroin-testinal cancer. Upon presentation, her physical examination was not remarkable. Laboratory studies showed mild anemia (hemoglobin 9.7 g/dL, normal values: 11.5 ~ 15.0 g/dL) and an elevated blood gastrin level (84.96 × 10-3 ng/mL, normal val-ues: 2.1 ~ 31.5 × 10-3 ng/mL). Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) revealed a 15 mm polypoid lesion in gastric body with erythematous depression and central ulcer (Fig. 1). Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) showed a thick mucosal layer without regional lymph node swelling (Fig. 2). Computerized tomogra-phy revealed no metastasis.
The patient received endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) (Fig. 3) and histopathologic examination revealed GNETs with neoplasia-free vertical and radial margins, and the GNET was classified as type I (Fig. 4). He was discharged 5 days after ESD and no melena or recurrence was noted within a follow-up of a month.
Discussion
GNETs arise from enterochromaffin-like cells of the stom-ach. They represent 8.7% of all gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors, and account for 0.6-2% of all gastric polyps identified (5,6). GNETs are classified into four types, based on pathogen-esis and histomorphologic characteristics; these types differ in biological behavior and prognosis, ranging from benign to high-
Fig. 1. Endoscopic view showed a polypoid lesion in the gastric body.
Vol. 108, N.º 2, 2016 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 109
Rev esp enfeRm Dig 2016; 108 (2): 108-109
metastasized (6,7). In the present case, the primary symptom was gastrointestinal bleeding and we successfully managed the tumor by endoscopic submucosal dissection. Periodical follow-up is recommended as recurrence may be encountered.
Tan Yuyong1, Dai Yinghuan2, Liu Deliang1 and Huo Jirong1
Fig. 2. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) image showed a thick mucosal layer. Fig. 3. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) showing the resected specimen.
Fig. 4. Histologic appearance of the resected specimen showing gastric neuroendocrine tumor (× 40). A. H and E stain. B. CgA immunostain (+). C. NSE immunostain (+). D. Syn immunostain (+). E. CK immunostain (+). F. Ki-67 immunostain (5% +).
ly malignant biological behavior and extremely poor prognosis (7). Preoperative diagnosis of GNETs remains difficult because of their rarity of occurrence, protean clinical manifestations, and wide variety of radiological and endoscopic presentation. Primary treatment of GNETs includes endoscopic or surgical removal, and endoscopic removal is recommended for GNETs < 20 mm that have not invaded beyond submucosa or otherwise
110 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Rev esp enfeRm Dig (maDRiD)
Rev esp enfeRm Dig 2016; 108 (2): 108-109
Departments of 1Gastroenterology and 2Pathology. The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University. Changsha,
Hunan. China
References
1. Dallal HJ, Ravindran R, King PM, et al. Gastric carcinoid tumour as a cause of severe upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage. Endoscopy 2003;35:716. DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-41506
2. Schoenfeld R, Cahan J, Dyer R. Gastric carcinoid tumor. An unu-sual cause of hematemesis. Arch Intern Med 1959;104:649-52. DOI: 10.1001/archinte.1959.00270100135024
3. Devarbhavi H, Alvares JF. Polypoid gastric carcinoid tumor presenting as hematemesis with prolapse into the duodenum. Gastrointest Endosc 2003;57:618-201. DOI: 10.1067/mge.2003.151
4. Aguirre A, Cosme A, Bujanda L, et al. Diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of gastric carcinoid tumors. Analysis of 14 cases. Rev Esp Enferm Dig 2011;103:493-4. DOI: 10.4321/S1130-01082011000900011
5. Modlin IM, Lye KD, Kidd M. A 5-decade analysis of 13,715 carcinoid tumors. Cancer 2003;97:934-59. DOI: 10.1002/cncr.11105
6. Delle FG, Kwekkeboom DJ, Van Cutsem E, et al. ENETS Consen-sus Guidelines for the management of patients with gastroduode-nal neoplasms. Neuroendocrinology 2012;95:74-87. DOI: 10.1159/ 000335595
7. Kulke MH, Shah MH, Benson AB 3rd, et al. Neuroendocrine tumors, version 1.2015. J Natl Compr Canc Netw 2015;13:78-108.