Gastric Remnant Adenocarcinoma with Micropapillary Component

Abstract

An invasive micropapillary carcinoma (IMPC) is defined as a carcinoma composed of small clusters of tumor cells lying within clear spaces simulating vascular channels [1]. It is a histological variant of invasive breast carcinoma with poor clinical prognosis [2, 3]. This distinct histological pattern has been described in various organs, including the urinary bladder, lung, ovary, and major salivary glands [4-8]. Although rarely observed as a pure histological component, IMPC is usually mixed with otherwise conventional carcinoma [3] and is therefore often referred to as carcinoma with a micropapillary component. In cases of adenocarcinoma with a micropapillary component, an abrupt transition is usually seen between the invasive micropapillary component and conventional adenocarcinoma [3]. IMPCs are all invariably associated with high aggressiveness, extensive lymphovascular invasion, extensive lymph node metastases, and poor prognosis [1-3]. We describe the first case of primary IMPC originating in the stomach as a histologic subcomponent of recurrent gastric adenocarcinoma.