ABSTRACT
We report an unusual case of gastric tumor: a stromal tumor with osteoclast-like giant cells. This type of cells has been described in epithelial tumors, especially in adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, lung, thyroid and breast. It has also been reported in smooth cell tumors such as uterine leiomyosarcoma and malignant fibrous histiocytoma. In our patient, this gastric stromal tumor with osteoclast-like giant cells was diagnosed in a man with adenocarcinoma of the colon in the context of a familial cancer syndrome. This is the first report of stromal tumor with osteoclast-like giant cells associated with Lynch syndrome.
Subject(s)
Colorectal Neoplasms, Hereditary Nonpolyposis/pathology , Giant Cells/pathology , Osteoclasts/pathology , Stomach Neoplasms/pathology , Adenocarcinoma/complications , Adenocarcinoma/genetics , Adult , Colonic Neoplasms/complications , Colonic Neoplasms/genetics , Colorectal Neoplasms, Hereditary Nonpolyposis/complications , Colorectal Neoplasms, Hereditary Nonpolyposis/genetics , Humans , Male , Pedigree , Stomach Neoplasms/complications , Stromal Cells/pathologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Thrombocytopenia occurred in a woman given alpha interferon for chronic hepatitis C without cirrhosis. Both central thrombocytopenia, clearly demonstrated, and peripheral thrombocytopenia, probably of autoimunne origin, were involved. CASE REPORT: A 55-year-old woman with active chronic hepatitis C (Metavir score A2, F2) was given alpha interferon. One month after treatment onset, she developed thrombocytopenia (32 G/L). A second bone marrow aspirate and osteomedullary biopsy evidenced megalokaryocytes and the platelet count responded to polyvalent immunoglobulins. Five months after discontinuing interferon, the platelet count progressively returned to normal. DISCUSSION: Central thrombocytopenia is classically described in patients given interferon and usually appears during the first weeks of treatment. In our case, the central mechanism was clearly demonstrated by the bone marrow aspirate and osteomedullary biopsy findings at a time when the platelet count was 32 G/L. A peripheral immunological participation was more difficult to prove but was strongly suggested by the persistence of thrombocytopenia despite the interruption of the interferon and the efficacy of immunoglobulins.