Glomus tumour of the stomach: An unusual cause of gastrointestinal bleeding

Abstract

Glomus tumours are a rare type of subepithelial mesenchymal tumours that present in deep visceral organs such as the stomach, which are difficult to diagnose. We report a case of a 44-year-old woman with diabetes who presented with anaemia, abdominal pain and melena diagnosed preoperatively with a gastric glomus tumour initially misdiagnosed as a gastric ulcer located at the lesser curvature. Upon referral to our centre a repeat endoscopy and biopsy were performed. A partial gastrectomy was performed with no complications. Histopathological analysis of the tumour reported clear margins and immunostaining was positive for smooth muscle actin and collagen IV. The patient remains asymptomatic at 3-month follow-up. Copyright 2012 BMJ Publishing Group. All rights reserved.