Endoscopic characteristics and treatment modalities of gastrointestinal glomus tumors: a multicenter retrospective study

Glomus tumors are rare mesenchymal neoplasms originating from glomus cells, most commonly occurring in the distal extremities, with rare occurrences in the gastrointestinal tract. This study aims to retrospectively analyze the endoscopic features and treatment modalities of gastrointestinal glomus tumor. This retrospective study analyzed data from 12 patients of gastrointestinal glomus tumor diagnosed between January 2010 and October 2024 across three large tertiary hospitals in China. Collected data included demographic characteristics, endoscopic findings, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) features, pathological and immunohistochemical profiles, treatment methods, and prognosis. A total of 12 patients were included, 10 of whom were female, with a mean age of 48.33 ± 9.22 years. The mean tumor size was 2.54 ± 1.13 cm, with most tumors located in the antrum and body of the stomach. Endoscopic examination revealed nonspecific submucosal protrusions, sometimes accompanied by erythema or ulcers on the surface. EUS revealed the tumors usually originated from the submucosa and/or muscularis propria, presenting as well-defined, round, hypoechoic nodules with homogeneous internal echoes. Eight patients with smaller lesion diameters received endoscopic resection, while four underwent surgical resection. The mean postoperative hospital stay was significantly shorter in the endoscopic group (6.00 ± 1.83 days) compared to the surgical group (11.50 ± 4.20 days, P < 0.05). Endoscopic follow-up showed no recurrence in any patient. Gastrointestinal glomus tumors most commonly occur in the stomach. Endoscopic examination revealed nonspecific submucosal protrusions. Both surgical and endoscopic resections are effective treatment options, with endoscopic resection offering advantages in terms of shorter hospital stays.