Plexiform Fibromyxoma: A Rare Gastric Tumor

Abstract EN

Plexiform fibromyxoma is a rare and distinctive benign mesenchymal neoplasm that occurs in the gastric antrum.

This tumor has a potential for misdiagnosis as gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST).

It causes mucosa and vascular ulcerations without advancement of the tumor.

Cytological bland spindle cells within a variably myxoid stroma characterize the histology of the tumor.

We report the case of a 41-year-old African Tanzanian lady who presented with melena and recurrent anemia.

Endoscopy and imaging studies revealed antral mass with initial suspicion of a GIST.

However, immunohistochemically it turned to be a plexiform fibromyxoma.

Follow-up evaluation 12 months after surgery revealed no evidence of recurrence or metastasis.

This is a very uncommon tumor, which, to our knowledge, has been reported only once in Africa.

The clinicians need to be aware of this rare occurrence to avoid misdiagnosis as GIST tumor.