Xanthomas of the stomach: a report of two cases

Bojana M. Andrejić; Snežana V. Božanić; Nenad S. Šolajić; Matilda A. Djolai; Aleksandra M. Levakov

doi:10.17305/bjbms.2012.2512

Authors

Bojana M. Andrejić Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine
Snežana V. Božanić Center for Pathology and Histology, Clinical Center of Vojvodina Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Hajduk Veljkova
Nenad S. Šolajić Center for Pathology and Histology, Clinical Center of Vojvodina Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Hajduk Veljkova
Matilda A. Djolai Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine Center for Pathology and Histology, Clinical Center of Vojvodina
Aleksandra M. Levakov Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine Center for Pathology and Histology, Clinical Center of Vojvodina

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17305/bjbms.2012.2512

Keywords:

xanthoma, stomach, differential diagnosi, CD68 antigen, cytokeratin MNF116

Abstract

Gastrointestinal tract xanthomas are non tumor, well demarcated mucosal lesions that consist of foamy histiocytes, most commonly diagnosed in the stomach. The histologic appearance of xanthomas can resemble certain malignant lesions. After retrospective data base search, we have encountered only 2 cases of xanthomas, both in the antral part of the stomach. Lamina propria of the mucosa contained rare, chronic inflammatory infiltrate and clusters of oval and polygonal cells with abundant, foamy cytoplasm. The cytoplasm of described cells did not show the presence of mucin (Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and Alcian blue staining). The cells showed distinct cytoplasmic CD68 positivity and CKMNF116 negativity, which confirmed the diagnosis of xanthoma. Given the frequent association of xanthomas and known precancerous lesions of gastric mucosa, and occasional coexistence of malignant change, we need to pay attention to its diagnosis, and it is advisable to use both histochemical and immunohistochemical methods.