Glomus Tumor of the Stomach Presenting With Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding: A Case Report

Abstract

Gastric glomus tumor is a rare mesenchymal tumor of the gastrointestinal tract, accounting for approximately 1% of all gastrointestinal soft tissue tumors. We describe a unique case of a 27-year-old female patient who presented with recurrent episodes of overt gastrointestinal bleeding requiring multiple blood transfusions. The patient was diagnosed with a gastric ulcer detected on esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), which was grossly suggestive of an ulcerated gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). Preoperative diagnosis was difficult, requiring laparoscopic robotic-assisted local wedge resection of the gastric mass. Pathological diagnosis and immunohistochemical (IHC) studies were consistent with a glomus tumor. We emphasize that the gastric glomus tumor might present with life-threatening recurrent gastrointestinal hemorrhage. In addition, it might mimic GIST and require surgical resection. Pathological diagnosis and IHC studies are needed to confirm the diagnosis.