A Case of Gastric Glomus Tumor Misdiagnosed as Carcinoid Tumor

Glomus tumor is a rare mesenchymal tumor commonly located in the periphery of glomus bodies, such as the subungual regions (e.g., fingernails and toenails). Other locations include the forearm, wrist, or trunk. Even rare is when these tumors are found in the submucosa. In the stomach, it is commonly found at the gastric antrum. Gastric glomus tumors (GGTs) are often found incidentally after a presumption of other gastric tumors is diagnosed, such as gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) or carcinoid tumors. The variable clinical presentation of GGT and the fact that histology is the only way to confirm the diagnosis is what makes GGT such an elusive tumor. Our case is a patient that presented with weight loss and reflux. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and colonoscopy were done, and the diagnosis of carcinoid tumor was presumed. Preliminary pathology was suggestive of a diagnosis of carcinoid tumor. The patient eventually had a subtotal gastrectomy, and a biopsy with immunohistochemical staining of the specimen was received, finally confirming the diagnosis of a GGT.