S6372 Case of Gastric Xanthoma: Examining Its Association With Gastric Cancer and Determining Surveillance EGD Timeframe

Introduction: Gastric xanthomas are benign lesions that can be seen incidentally on endoscopy, characterized by a white-yellow plaque appearance. The reported incidence is 0.23-7% of people and noted rising incidence with advancing age. Recognition of these lesions is crucial, as there is a known association with gastric cancer. In this case, we discuss the implications of gastric xanthoma in a patient with a family history of gastric cancer, the importance of relevant conditions, and our recommendations for surveillance esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). Case Description/Methods: Our patient is a 38-year-old man with a family history of BRCA2 mutation in his father and gastric cancer in both his paternal grandfather and father. He was found to also have positive BRCA2 mutation and presented for screening endoscopy due to his history. An EGD 9 years prior for epigastric discomfort was reportedly normal. EGD done at this recent visit revealed antrum mucosal erythema and a 5 mm yellow polypoid lesion in the fundus which was removed with cold snare. Random biopsies were taken from the antrum and body separately, which were negative for intestinal metaplasia or H. pylori. The polyp pathology showed hyperplastic mucosa with characteristic foamy macrophages on CD68 immunostain consistent with xanthoma. Discussion: Gastric xanthomas are lipid-laden plaques or nodules that may present endoscopically as single or multifocal lesions with average size between 2-10 mm. Often these are asymptomatic lesions, but there are reports of early satiety, weight loss, or hematemesis if they grow larger in size. These generally arise in abnormal mucosa, such as atrophic gastritis, gastric intestinal metaplasia, and H. pylori infection. The prevalence of gastric xanthomas with these premalignant conditions may explain some of the reported association with development of gastric cancer; however, xanthomas are also an independent predictor of rapid tumor growth rate and recurrence after endoscopic resection. There is no formal endoscopic surveillance guideline for patients with gastric xanthoma. Our patient had multiple risk factors for gastric cancer: BRCA2, family history in 2 family members without hereditary diffuse gastric cancer criteria or gene mutations, and gastric xanthoma itself. In this case, we discussed surveillance EGD every 1-3 years.

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Publication Details

Journal
The American Journal of Gastroenterology
Published
2025-10-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.14309/01.ajg.0001153948.11256.96
Primary Topic
Gastrointestinal disorders and treatments
Type
article
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article

S6372 Case of Gastric Xanthoma: Examining Its Association With Gastric Cancer and Determining Surveillance EGD Timeframe

Meghana Doniparthi, Thomas Mientus, Nick Adimi
The American Journal of Gastroenterology
Gastrointestinal disorders and treatments
article

S6372 Case of Gastric Xanthoma: Examining Its Association With Gastric Cancer and Determining Surveillance EGD Timeframe

Meghana Doniparthi, Thomas Mientus, Nick Adimi
article en

Abstract

Introduction: Gastric xanthomas are benign lesions that can be seen incidentally on endoscopy, characterized by a white-yellow plaque appearance. The reported incidence is 0.23-7% of people and noted rising incidence with advancing age. Recognition of these lesions is crucial, as there is a known association with gastric cancer. In this case, we discuss the implications of gastric xanthoma in a patient with a family history of gastric cancer, the importance of relevant conditions, and our recommendations for surveillance esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). Case Description/Methods: Our patient is a 38-year-old man with a family history of BRCA2 mutation in his father and gastric cancer in both his paternal grandfather and father. He was found to also have positive BRCA2 mutation and presented for screening endoscopy due to his history. An EGD 9 years prior for epigastric discomfort was reportedly normal. EGD done at this recent visit revealed antrum mucosal erythema and a 5 mm yellow polypoid lesion in the fundus which was removed with cold snare. Random biopsies were taken from the antrum and body separately, which were negative for intestinal metaplasia or H. pylori. The polyp pathology showed hyperplastic mucosa with characteristic foamy macrophages on CD68 immunostain consistent with xanthoma. Discussion: Gastric xanthomas are lipid-laden plaques or nodules that may present endoscopically as single or multifocal lesions with average size between 2-10 mm. Often these are asymptomatic lesions, but there are reports of early satiety, weight loss, or hematemesis if they grow larger in size. These generally arise in abnormal mucosa, such as atrophic gastritis, gastric intestinal metaplasia, and H. pylori infection. The prevalence of gastric xanthomas with these premalignant conditions may explain some of the reported association with development of gastric cancer; however, xanthomas are also an independent predictor of rapid tumor growth rate and recurrence after endoscopic resection. There is no formal endoscopic surveillance guideline for patients with gastric xanthoma. Our patient had multiple risk factors for gastric cancer: BRCA2, family history in 2 family members without hereditary diffuse gastric cancer criteria or gene mutations, and gastric xanthoma itself. In this case, we discussed surveillance EGD every 1-3 years.

The American Journal of GastroenterologyVol. 120(10S2)
Openalex Percentile: Top 41%
Gastrointestinal disorders and treatments
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