Succinate dehydrogenase-deficient gastrointestinal stromal tumor of stomach diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy: Report of a distinct subtype in cytology.

Abstract

Succinate dehydrogenase (SDH)-deficient gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are characterized by the lack of mutations in KIT receptor tyrosine kinase complex and platelet derived growth factor receptor-alpha (PDGFRA) that are commonly found in the majority of GISTs. SDH-deficient GISTs comprise approximately 5%-10% of all GISTs. This subset may be associated with Carney Triad and Carney-Stratakis syndrome. SDH-deficient GISTs show unique demographic, radiologic, morphologic findings, clinical behavior, and treatment response. To our knowledge, the identification and characterization of this subset of GISTs have not yet been described in the cytopathology literature. By understanding the clinical as well as the other unique features of this tumor, in addition to the rapidly evolving identification of specific molecular alterations and targeted therapies, cytopathologists may play an important role in the diagnosis and work-up of these patients to allow clinicians to better manage and treat them. We present a young female with gastric SDH-deficient GIST diagnosed by fine-needle biopsy with supporting surgical pathology follow-up and molecular confirmation. This report suggests that the diagnosis of SDH-deficient GIST can be made on cytology in the appropriate clinical setting by using cytomorphologic features and demonstrating SDH loss by IHC on the cell block. In addition, molecular testing may be possible on the cytology cell block or supernatant to confirm the diagnosis.