Rare Neoplasia of the Stomach.

BACKGROUND: Gastric adenocarcinoma accounts for more than 90% of malignant lesions of the stomach. Besides this entity, numerous neoplastic lesions with malignant or benign characteristics as well as lesions with uncertain malignant potential occur. This review gives an overview on rare neoplasia of the stomach, focusing on gastric polyps, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, gastric lymphoma and neuroendocrine neoplasia.

SUMMARY: A broad spectrum of rare neoplastic lesions of the stomach with significant differences in malignant potential and with specific demands of interventional therapy is known. In addition to the use of high-definition endoscopy techniques, the histopathological assessment of lesions and of the surrounding mucosa is mandatory to characterize and differentiate malignant and benign tumors.

KEY MESSAGE: Rare neoplasia of the stomach is detected in approximately 6% of patients undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Diligent examination of the gastric mucosa remains essential to detect mucosal and submucosal lesions.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Presenting with a broad spectrum of symptoms, ranging from unspecific abdominal discomfort to gastrointestinal bleeding or symptoms of gastric outlet obstruction, different rare neoplastic lesions of the stomach with demand of specific diagnostic and therapeutic work-up occur. Diligent endoscopic evaluation of the entire gastric mucosa, preferably by high-definition endoscopy techniques, is essential in addition to histopathological examination of lesional and surrounding tissue.