Gastritis Cystica Profunda With High-Grade Dysplasia Mimicking Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor: A Histopathological Pitfall in the Assessment of Submucosal Invasion.
- 1Department of Pathology University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City 700000 Vietnam bvdaihoc.com.vn.
- 2Department of Histology Embryology, and Pathology School of Medicine University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City 700000 Vietnam hcmut.edu.vn.
- 3Independent Researcher Ho Chi Minh City 700000 Vietnam.
Abstract
Background
Gastritis cystica profunda (GCP) is an uncommon gastric lesion characterized by displacement of cystically dilated glands into the submucosa. It may present as a submucosal mass mimicking gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). The coexistence of GCP with high-grade dysplasia is extremely uncommon and may pose a significant diagnostic challenge by simulating invasive carcinoma.Case presentation
We report a case of a 54-year-old patient whose endoscopic and radiographic features suggested a GIST in the gastric cardia. Surgical resection was performed. Histopathological examination revealed cystically dilated glands extending into the submucosa, lined by high-grade dysplastic epithelium. Importantly, the muscularis mucosae was focally disrupted, and the submucosal component comprised both dysplastic and nondysplastic glands displaced together within smooth muscle bundles derived from the muscularis mucosae and accompanied by lamina propria-type stroma, supporting mucosal prolapse rather than true invasion. A final diagnosis of high-grade dysplasia arising in GCP was established.Conclusion
This case highlights an important diagnostic pitfall in distinguishing pseudoinvasion from true invasive carcinoma in submucosal gastric lesions. Recognition of this entity and careful assessment of the muscularis mucosae together with the character of the displaced glands are essential to avoid overstaging and unnecessary aggressive management.
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BibTeX
@article{duong2026gastritis,
title = {{Gastritis Cystica Profunda With High-Grade Dysplasia Mimicking Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor: A Histopathological Pitfall in the Assessment of Submucosal Invasion.}},
author = {Vy Thi-Thuy Duong and Anh The Phan and Tho Ngoc-Quynh Le and Huyen Thi Thanh Le and Giang Huong Tran},
journal = {Case reports in gastrointestinal medicine},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1155/crgm/7741186},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42903414},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Gastritis Cystica Profunda With High-Grade Dysplasia Mimicking Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor: A Histopathological Pitfall in the Assessment of Submucosal Invasion.
AU - Vy Thi-Thuy Duong
AU - Anh The Phan
AU - Tho Ngoc-Quynh Le
AU - Huyen Thi Thanh Le
AU - Giang Huong Tran
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/20
JO - Case reports in gastrointestinal medicine
DO - 10.1155/crgm/7741186
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42903414
AB - Background Gastritis cystica profunda (GCP) is an uncommon gastric lesion characterized by displacement of cystically dilated glands into the submucosa. It may present as a submucosal mass mimicking gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). The coexistence of GCP with high-grade dysplasia is extremely uncommon and may pose a significant diagnostic challenge by simulating invasive carcinoma.Case presentation We report a case of a 54-year-old patient whose endoscopic and radiographic features suggested a GIST in the gastric cardia. Surgical resection was performed. Histopathological examination revealed cystically dilated glands extending into the submucosa, lined by high-grade dysplastic epithelium. Importantly, the muscularis mucosae was focally disrupted, and the submucosal component comprised both dysplastic and nondysplastic glands displaced together within smooth muscle bundles derived from the muscularis mucosae and accompanied by lamina propria-type stroma, supporting mucosal prolapse rather than true invasion. A final diagnosis of high-grade dysplasia arising in GCP was established.Conclusion This case highlights an important diagnostic pitfall in distinguishing pseudoinvasion from true invasive carcinoma in submucosal gastric lesions. Recognition of this entity and careful assessment of the muscularis mucosae together with the character of the displaced glands are essential to avoid overstaging and unnecessary aggressive management.
SN - 2090-6528
SN - 2090-6536
ER -