Gastric stromal tumour: a rare neoplasm presenting with gastrointestinal bleeding

We report the case of a 67-year-old male patient who presented with melaena and acute anaemia. Upper digestive tract endoscopy and computed tomography of the abdomen showed a centrally ulcerated, broad-based, polypoid projection of 4 cm in the gastric antral wall. Although endoscopic biopsies were negative for neoplastic changes, the patient underwent distal gastrectomy with Billroth-I reconstruction. Histological and immunohistochemical studies on the surgical resection specimen revealed a gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) of combined smooth muscle and neural type, with no evidence of mitotic activity but of uncertain biological behaviour. After serological detection, Helicobacter pylori eradication was recommended to prevent bacterial damage of the gastric remnant. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 10:791-794 (C) 1998 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.