[Stromal duodenal tumor revealed by paraneoplastic dermatomyositis]

Novel case of a scleroderma-mimicking syndrome associated with gastrointestinal stromal tumour

We report a case of a 54-year-old man who developed an atypical systemic syndrome involving Raynaud’s phenomenon, pulmonary fibrosis and skin thickening. These features were initially suggestive of newly diagnosed scleroderma. However, he displayed atypical clinical features of same, antinuclear antibody was negative and symptoms were refractory to various immunosuppressive therapies. CT imaging revealed a gastric mass, which later proved to be a gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST). Resection of the GIST leads to minimal symptomatic improvement. Surveillance imaging 1 year later revealed metastatic deposits. He was subsequently initiated on imatinib therapy, which led to a rapid improvement in fibrotic changes within weeks. While there have been previous descriptions of paraneoplastic fibrotic disorders, this is the first description of a scleroderma mimic in the setting of a GIST. It highlights an important potential overlap in the pathogenesis of these disease processes and the potential efficacy of tyrosine kinase inhibitors for scleroderma-like fibrotic disorders.

[Pregnancy and extra-gastrointestinal stromal tumor: an exceptional association]

Extra-gastrointestinal stromal tumors (EGIST) are rare entities. The coexistence of a gastrointestinal stromal tumor and pregnancy is exceptional. We describe a case of this association, three years after the first diagnosis of EGIST made during exploratory laparotomy for abdominal-pelvic mass. We report the diagnostic difficulties and management of pregnancy on recurrence of EGIST tumor.