Gastric Syphilis Mimicking Neoplasm: A Case Report

Abstract

1. Abstract 1.1. <span style=font-size:10.0pt;font-family: times= new= roman,serif=>Introduction: <span style=font-size:10.0pt; font-family: times= new= roman,serif=> Gastric syphilis is a rare and challenging diagnosis in clinical practice. Due to decreasing incidence of syphilis, the encounterment with the diagnosis became exceptionally rare. Kaunas regional Biomedical Research Ethics Committee approved the presentation of this case report (protocol no. BEC-LSMUC(R )-26). 1.2. <span style=font-size:10.0pt;font-family: times= new= roman,serif=>Case Presentation: <span style=font-size: 10.0pt;font-family: times= new= roman,serif=> A 46 -year -old Caucasian female with a 3 months history of mild epigastric pain, followed by vomiting, weight loss, and early satiety. The symptoms and findings of instrumental examinations led to initial diagnosis of gastric cancer. Partial distal gastrectomy and D2 lymphadenectomy was performed and histological examination showed active chronic gastritis with dense lymphocytic and plasmocytic infiltration -alterations were in line the diagnosis of syphilis, which was further confirmed by serological tests. 1.3. <span style=font-size:10.0pt;font-family: times= new= roman,serif=>Conclusion: <span style=font-size:10.0pt; font-family: times= new= roman,serif=> Epigastric pain, anorexia, vomiting, weight loss, together with radiological, endoscopic and microscopic appearance of gastric syphilis may easily be confused with gastric lymphoma or carcinoma. Furthermore, endoscopic gastric biopsies show non-specific histological alterations. We suggest that in all patients with gastric symptoms mimicking neoplasm with nonspecific endoscopic or histological findings, VDRL and TPHA tests should be performed. 2. Keywords: Gastric Syphilis; Gastrectomy; Plasmocytic Infiltration