Adenocarcinoma arising from a gastric duplication cyst: a case report and literature review

Introduction

Duplication of the alimentary tract is a rare congenital anomaly, with an incidence of 1 in 4,500 live births.¹ Two forms of duplication have been reported, namely, tubular and cystic. The tubular form communicates with the normal intestinal tract, while the cystic form is separate from it.^1,2 Furthermore, most enteric duplication cysts are diagnosed during the first year of life, and about 70% of cases are identified by the age of 12 years.³ In 1961, Potter reported 2 cases in >9,000 fetal and neonatal autopsies.⁴ They may be slightly more common in males.⁵ The most common location is the ileum (35%), while the least common site is the stomach (2%–9%). Although very rare, carcinoma can arise from a gastric duplication cyst (GDC). Adenocarcinoma rarely arises from a GDC and, to our knowledge, only 11 cases (in the English language literature) have been reported to date (Table 1).^6–16 Numerous other cases were reported in languages other than English.^17–19 Nonetheless, there can be no argument that carcinomas arising from a GDC are especially rare. We are reporting, herein, a case of a 51-year-old man who, along with a duplication of the alimentary tract affecting the stomach, presented with melena, and upon further investigation, a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma was detected. In addition, we review the diagnosis and treatment of similar patients reported in the literature.

Table 1 Summary of case studies reporting adenocarcinoma arising in GDC Abbreviations: GDC, gastric duplication cyst; GIST, gastrointestinal stromal tumor; H–E, hematoxylin and eosin; TS, titanium silicate; yrs, years.

Case report

A 51-year-old man presented to the Accident and Emergency Department of Salmaniya Medical Complex with a 2-day history of melena. There was no past medical history of note, no alcohol intake, and he was not on any medications. The patient stopped smoking 10 years prior to admission. There was a first-degree family history of colorectal cancer.

Upon investigation, a gastroscopy revealed fresh blood and clots in the fundus of the stomach. A mass lesion and cavity were seen along the greater curvature of the stomach during retroflexed examination of the fundus. The cavity contained an ulcerated area with clots (Figure 1). Biopsies of the mass in the cavity showed normal gastric mucosa with moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma and mild chronic gastritis (Figure 2). Computed tomography (CT) with contrast of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis demonstrated a 5.1×6.5 cm cystic mass in the greater curvature of the stomach (Figure 3). The cyst had a 6 mm thickened wall, with a septum dividing it into 2 parts. Hematoxylin and eosin (H–E) staining revealed a cyst lined by benign epithelial lining (Figure 4). These findings fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of GDC. No metastases or other abnormalities were seen (Figure 3).

Figure 1 Representative endoscopic images. Notes: (A) Image depicts a mass lesion with cavity opening observed in the fundus. (B) The cavity contained marginal ulcers with fresh and clotted blood. (C) An image of normal antrum.

Figure 2 Histology images of moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma. Notes: H–E staining depicts invasive atypical glands with central necrosis in (A) (original magnification ×100) and (B) (original magnification ×40). (C) Invasive malignant glands lined by atypical pleomorphic cells with prominent nucleoli and central necrosis can be seen (original magnification ×400). Abbreviation: H–E, hematoxylin and eosin.

Figure 3 CT scan of the duplication cyst. Notes: (Ai and Aii) Axial, (B) sagittal, and (C) coronal scans of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis demonstrated a well-circumscribed, round cystic mass of homogeneous density along the greater curvature of the stomach (arrows), consistent with a duplication cyst. The mass measured 5×4 cm. Abbreviation: CT, computed tomography.

Figure 4 Histology of cyst lined by benign epithelial lining. Note: H–E staining shows cyst lined by benign epithelial lining, surrounded by smooth muscle fibers and chronic inflammatory cells: (A) (original magnification ×10); and (B) higher magnification (original magnification ×100). Abbreviation: H–E, hematoxylin and eosin.

The patient declined immediate surgical resection but agreed to neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery. Six cycles of epirubicin, capecitabine, and oxaliplatin were administered over 6 months without complication. The patient achieved a partial response to chemotherapy and subsequently underwent an uncomplicated total gastrectomy. The specimen contained the full stomach with omentum and measured 18.5×5×4 cm. A fungating mass measuring 5×5×2.5 cm was present in the fundus. The resection margins ranged from 2 to 13 cm. Multiple lymph nodes of <1 cm were present in the perigastric fat. Microscopic examination showed a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma with ypT2 invasion of the muscularis propria. The margins were clear of cancer. The 7th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Tumor-Node-Metastasis (TNM) Staging Manual for the stomach was used, and the final TNM stage was ypT2 N0 Mx. Written informed consent was provided by the patient to have the case details and any accompanying images published.

Literature review

As shown in Table 1, data from all the 11 reports of similar cases collected from the English language literature were reviewed and pooled. It shows male predominance (8 of 11 cases were males), variable symptoms (from incidental finding to no symptoms, to some more remarkable symptoms), and a wide age range (from 25 to 76 years) at presentation. The cysts are of variable sizes (from 2.5 cm to 10 cm in diameter), commonly located along the greater curvature of the stomach, and unilocular. Surgery was the rule in most cases.

Discussion

GDCs comprise about 2%–9% of all alimentary tract duplications, and cystic types with no connection to the gastric lumen compromise up to 80% of these lesions.³ There is a higher male incidence of GDCs complicated with malignancy, as in our reported case and that of others (Table 1), which shows only 3 females in the pooled 11 cases.^6–16 This goes with the higher male predominance of gastric cancer in most literature. Most gastric duplications are single in nature, although multiple duplications have been reported.⁶ GDCs are true cysts. They typically have a mucosal lining, consisting of gastric epithelium, which is surrounded by a muscularis propria. Mucosal linings consisting of ectopic pancreatic tissue or respiratory epithelium are less commonly seen.²⁰ GDCs are typically found in the greater curvature of the stomach.

The pathogenesis for alimentary duplication cysts is a matter of controversy. It is, however, regarded as a congenital condition, and the most plausible theory consists of an aberration in the recanalization and fusion of longitudinal folds. Kim et al proposed that duplication cysts originated from the fusion of longitudinal folds, allowing the passage of a bridge of submucosa and muscle at the second and third months of intrauterine life.²¹ Other theories include the development of traction diverticulum, which leads to duplication cyst formation as a result of notochord adhesion and therefore a lag of the elongation process of the embryonic endoderm relative to its surrounding structures. Other potential mechanisms proposed include abortive twinning, anoxia, and persistent embryological diverticula.²¹

Pathologic conditions associated with alimentary tract duplication cysts include pulmonary sequestration, multicystic dysplastic kidney, and distant neoplasia.²² Malignancy arising due to GDC is also an important differential diagnosis. Adenocarcinoma is currently considered the most common histologic type of malignancy arising in GDC cases; however, neuroendocrine carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma have also been reported.⁷ Table 1 represents an overview of case studies reporting adenocarcinoma arising in GDC. The risk of malignant transformation and associated complications has led to surgical excision being recommended as the standard of care for this condition.²³ Open and laparoscopic excisions have been reported. Some patients have a duplication cyst that has a wall that is shared with the functional bowel. Treatment of these patients generally includes excision of only the duplicated area.²

GDCs can grow in size, leading to compression of adjacent organs, including the pancreas, kidney, spleen, or adrenal gland.²⁴ Alimentary tract cysts are at risk for obstruction, infection, torsion, perforation, hemorrhage, and malignancy.¹ Indeed, this case presented with melena (overt bleeding), which is secondary to ulcerated cancer. The possibility that this case is that of a GDC and gastric cancer arising from the gastric lumen, and not from the epithelium of the GDC, exists, and only a macroscopic image of the GDC and cancer is strongly required to prove that. Unfortunately, this image was missed in this case. Patients’ symptoms at presentation are related to the pathology involved in the duplication and the age at presentation (Table 2).

Table 2 Common clinical findings in patients with duplication cysts Notes: These data have been collected from literature. *Due to compression of adjacent organs, such as pancreas, kidney, spleen, and adrenal gland. **As up to 10% of GDCs may contain ectopic pancreatic tissue. Abbreviation: GDC, gastric duplication cyst.

The diagnosis of GDC is based on established criteria (Table 3). The cyst has to be intimately connected to the gastric wall and surrounded by one or more muscle layers, which are adherent to the muscle coats of the stomach. As part of the criteria, the epithelium lining is of gastric mucosa, though at times, other gut mucosa may also be found such as heterotopic intestinal or pancreatic tissues.²²

Table 3 The essential criteria for diagnosis of a gastric duplication cyst Note: Data collected from literature, especially from studies Singh et al,1 Hsu et al,3 and Kuraoka et al.14

Radiologically, GDCs appear classically as thick-walled cystic lesions with inner lining enhancement and occasional calcifications on both CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).²³ The MRI can further differentiate the type of the cyst and characterize the cystic contents.²² The nature of the fluid in the cyst can vary with the presence of bleeding, chronic inflammation, or infection.

Endoscopic examination commonly shows a gastric mass. The overlying mucosa is often intact but, not uncommonly, can appear erythematous with or without ulceration.²⁴ Biopsy of the lesion is essential, and the typical changes include the following: 1) mucous membrane with a well-organized layer of smooth muscle, 2) granulomatous inflammation with denuded mucosa, and 3) foreign body giant cells.³ Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) can be a useful tool for diagnosing GDCs. The classic appearance is of an echogenic internal mucosal layer and a hypoechoic intermediate muscular layer. However, the yield of EUS-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) remains uncertain as the findings are frequently indistinguishable from those of mucinous pancreatic neoplasms.²³

Alimentary tract duplications are best managed by surgical resection. The conservative approach may be considered for patients with communicating GDCs and in whom both gastric lumens were patent. The use of drainage and marsupialization of the cyst has been discouraged as the unprotected mucosa of the cyst will be exposed to a greater volume of gastric contents, placing it at higher risk of ulceration. Complications such as anastomotic strictures and blind loop syndrome have been frequently reported following drainage procedures such as cystojejunostomy.⁸

Conclusion

GDC is a rare condition that may pose a diagnostic challenge. GDC may predispose to complications, including malignancy, as in our case. GDC should be considered when a cystic lesion is found adjoining the gastric wall. Early diagnosis and prompt surgical intervention is important for the best outcome.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

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