GASTRIC SCHWANNOMAS - ABOUT ONE CASE OF MALIGNANT SCHWANNOMA WITH LYMPH-NODE INVOLVEMENT

Schwannomas as neurofibromas are neurogenic mesenchymal tumors of the stomach. They arise from the Schwann cells of nerves of the gastric wall and are usually benign. The incidence of malignant schwannomas is uncertain because of the variable pathologic criteria used. Immunohistochemistry is a diagnostic tool used to distinguish between schwannomas and leiomyomas both constituted by spindle-cells. In this issue we report a case of malignant schwannoma with lymph node involvement. The clinical and histological features of gastric schwannomas are discussed with evaluation of their diagnostic and therapeutic modalities.