Published online Feb 21, 2020. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v26.i7.770
Peer-review started: November 25, 2019
First decision: December 12, 2019
Revised: January 8, 2020
Accepted: January 15, 2020
Article in press: January 15, 2020
Published online: February 21, 2020
Glomus tumors (GTs) are rare mesenchymal neoplastic lesions derived from cells of the glomus body. GTs rarely occurs in the visceral organs, where there may be few or no glomus bodies, and the majority of GTs are benign, rarely demonstrating aggressive or malignant behavior and histological features.
We report a patient with malignant GTs of the intestinal ileum with multiorgan metastases who was admitted due to moderate anemia. Capsule endoscopy revealed a bleeding mass in the intestinal ileum, and the patient underwent segmental ileal resection through laparoscopic surgery. The histopathological and immunohistochemical diagnoses were consistent with malignant GT. Long-term follow-up showed that the GT had metastasized to multiple organs such as the colon, brain, and possibly the lung.
This case was characterized by the highest degree of malignancy and by multiorgan metastases, and it was the first case of intestinal GT uncovered by capsule endoscopy.
Core tip: We report a patient with malignant glomus tumors of the intestinal ileum characterized by the highest degree of malignancy and multiorgan metastases, and it was the first case of intestinal glomus tumor uncovered by capsule endoscopy. We further reviewed the literature on the clinicopathologic features, diagnosis, and treatment of intestinal glomus tumors.