Schwannoma of the stomach: a case report

BACKGROUND: Schwannomas, also known as neurilemmomas, are benign slow-growing neoplasms originating from a Schwann cell sheath. These neoplasms are rare among the mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. In the stomach, Schwannomas only represent 0.2 % of all gastric tumors; this makes the presentation of a schwannoma in the stomach of a man in his seventh decade unusual. This case report highlights the rarity of a schwannoma at the greater curvature of the stomach because only a few cases have been reported in the literature. This case describes the importance of including gastric schwannomas in the differential diagnosis when preoperative assessment reveals a submucosal gastric mass with gastrointestinal stromal tumor as a leading differential diagnosis because of its common occurrence at this site. CASE PRESENTATION: A 72-year-old man of Indian origin presented with a painless abdominal mass with nonspecific gastrointestinal upset. An endoscopy showed a submucosal lesion in his stomach measuring 4×3×2 cm. Histology revealed a benign spindle cell tumor. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis of gastric schwannoma. He is on regular follow-up and doing well. CONCLUSIONS: It should be remembered that a schwannoma can present as a mass lesion in the stomach and mimic gastrointestinal stromal tumor. Patients should undergo an endoscopy and a biopsy of the lesion should be done. Many patients do not undergo endoscopy which can delay diagnosis and management. As these tumors have an excellent prognosis, surgical removal is sufficient treatment. Surgeons, radiologists, pathologists and gastroenterologists must be aware of this entity.