Open Journal of Pathology, 2012, 2, 147-149
Published Online October 2012 (http://www.SciRP.org/journal/ojpathology)
http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ojpathology.2012.24027
1
Plexiform Angiomyxoid Myofibroblastic Tumor of the
Stomach
Peifeng Li1,2, Qingqing Zhang3, Xuchun Jia1, Qinlong Li1, Zengshan Li1, Zhe Wang1*
1State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Pathology, Xijing Hospital and School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military
Medical University, Xi’an, China; 2Department of Pathology, The General Hospital of Jinan Military Command, Ji’nan, China;
3Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Weifang People’s Hospital, Weifang, China.
Received June 22nd, 2012; revised July 13th, 2012; accepted July 23rd, 2012
ABSTRACT
Plexiform angiomyxoid myofibroblastic tumor (PAMT) is a recently described gastric tumor with a peculiar plexiform
pattern, bland spindle cells and a myxoid stroma rich in arborizing blood vessels. PAMT of the stomach is a very rare
tumor without distinctive clinical manifestations. In this study, we report a new case of PAMT which is the first Chi-
nese case in English literatu re. A 47-year-old Chinese woman was admitted with a 6-month history of intermittent epi-
gastric discomfort, and abdominal pain for 2 months. Gastroscopy showed an elevated mass in the anterior wall of the
gastric antrum. Endoscopic ultrasound revealed a focal hypoechoic lesion protruding into the lumen. A laparoscopic
distal gastrectomy was performed , and the patient made an uneventful recovery an d remains well 1.5 years later. A di-
agnosis of PAMT was made by histopathology and immunochemistry.
Keywords: Plexiform Angiomyxoid Myofibroblastic Tumor; Stomach; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor; Myofibroblast
1. Introduction
Plexiform angiomyxoid myofibroblastic tumor (PAMT)
is a recently described gastric tumor with a peculiar
plexiform pattern, bland spindle cells and a myxoid
stroma rich in blood vessels [1]. It almost exclusively
occurs in the gastric antrum. The myofibroblastic-fibro-
blastic nature of the tumor cells has been confirmed by
immunohistochemical and ultrastructural analyses [2].
There have been 23 reported cases of gastric PAMT to
date [3]. This is a rare tumor with equal gender distribu-
tion occurring primarily in adults with a wide range of 7
to 75 years [4]. Clinical symptoms are related to ulcera-
tion of the mucosa from the underlying lesions, so he-
matemesis and anemia are most commonly encountered.
Here we report an additional case of PAMT of the stom-
ach. Our current case shares the clinical, histological,
immunophenotypical features of the previously described
cases.
2. Case Report
A 47-year-old Chinese woman was admitted with a
6-month history of intermittent epigastric discomfort, and
abdominal pain for 2 months. Gastroscopy showed an
elevated mass with a smooth surface measuring ap-
proximately 3.5 cm × 3.5 cm in the anterior wall of the
gastric antrum (Figure 1(a)). Endoscopic ultrasound re-
vealed a focal hypoechoic lesion protruding into the lu-
men, mainly in the submucosa and muscularis propria
(Figure 1(b)). A laparoscopic distal gastrectomy was
performed, and the patient made an uneventful recovery
and remains well 1.5 years later.
Gross examination of the stomach showed a well-cir-
cumscribed polypoidal tumor measuring 5.0 cm × 3.0 cm
× 2.0 cm in the anterior antral wall. Cut section revealed
a solid, glistening translucid tumor mainly in the sub-
(a) (b)
Figure 1. PAMT imaging in the stomach. (a) Gastroscopy
showing an elevated mass in the anterior wall of the gastric
antrum; (b) Endoscopic ultrasound showing a focal hypo-
echoic lesion protruding into the lumen.
*Corresponding a uthor.

Plexiform Angiomyxoid Myofibroblastic Tumor of the Stomach
148
mucosa, poorly demarcated from the muscularis propria,
and with mucoid areas (Figure 2(a)). The serosal surface
was studded with multiple polypoid tumor projections.
Histological examination showed extension from the
submucosa to the serosa. The tumor exhibited an irregu-
lar multinodular plexiform pattern (Figure 2(b) and (c)).
The cells were spindle-shaped, with no significant nu-
clear atypia or mitosis, and were disposed randomly or in
a vague fascicular fashion, separated by an abundant
myxoid extracellu lar matrix that was alcian blue (pH 2.5)
positive and in which a network of fine capillary-caliber
arborizing vessels was observed. Stromal collagenization
was also noted. Mast cells were scattered in the stroma,
but infiltration by lymphocytes, plasma cells and eosi-
nophils was inconspicuous. Tumor necrosis was not ob-
served. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were
diffusely positive for α-smooth muscle actin (SMA)
(Figure 2(d)), but negative for CD117, CD34, S-100
protein, anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), β-catenin,
and H-caldesmon. The Ki-67 labeling index was less
than 1%. Based on the histological features, and sup-
ported by the immunostaining findings, a diagnosis of
PAMT was made. This study was reviewed and approved
by our ethics committee.
3. Discussion
Takahashi et al. described 2 cases of a unique gastric
mesenchymal tumor designated as “plexiform angio-
myxoid myofibroblastic tumor (PAMT)” in 2007 [2].
Two years later, Miettinen et al. described a series of
similar tumors, and they advocated the use of the appel-
lation “plexiform fibromyxoma” [5]. Typical histological
features of this entity include multinodular plexiform
growth pattern, spindle-shape bland myofibroblastic tu-
mor cells (positive for a-SMA) and myxoid matrix that is
rich in small vessels, but fibrosis or collagenous matrix is
only observed in some cases. Therefore, we believe
PAMT is an appropriate diagnostic term to cover histo-
Figure 2. Pathological features of PAMT. (a) Cut section of PAMT showing a solid glistening translucid tumor; (b)
Histological finding exhibiting an multinodular plexiform pattern with bland spindle tumor cells (H & E stains, original
magnification ×40), myxoid extracellular matrix and fine arborizing vessels (c) (H & E stains, original magnification ×200);
(d) Tumor cells diffusely positive for SMA (IHC stains, original magnification ×200).

Plexiform Angiomyxoid Myofibroblastic Tumor of the Stomach 149
genesis and histology. However, the WHO classification
of tumors of the digestive system accepted “plexiform
fibromyxoma” as a diagnostic term instead of PAMT [6].
PAMT of the stomach is a very rare tumor without
distinctive clinical manifestations. Symptoms may in-
clude those of ulceration, hematemesis and anemia. Our
patient presented with intermittent epigastric discomfort
and abdominal pain. The endoscopist usually encounters
a submucosal-based or nodular mass. A very striking
feature is the almost exclusive location in the gastric an-
trum. The mucosa may be intact, dimpled or ulcerated.
Microscopic examination reveals a uniform spindle
cell population arranged in a plexiform multinodular
pattern. Individual tumor cells have bland oval nuclei and
weakly eosinophilic cytoplasm. The stroma is also typi-
cal and ranges from being myxoid to fibromyxoid to
hyalinized. The vasculature within the stroma is promi-
nent and varies from small thin-walled vascular channels
to more ectatic arborizing vessels. Cytological atypia,
necrosis, and a brisk mitotic rate are not seen. Immuno-
histochemistry shows PAMT to be smooth muscle actin
positive, focal desmin, and caldesmon positive but nega-
tive for CD117, CD34, S-100 protein, neurofilament,
cytokeratins, epith elial membrane antigen, and ALK.
Although PAMT demonstrates characteristic patho-
logical features, it should be considered in the differential
diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) and
other mesenchymal tumors of the stomach, such as leio-
myoma, schwannoma, perineurioma, fibromatosis, soli-
tary fibrous tumor, inflammatory fibroid polyp, and in-
flammatory myofibrob lastic tumor. The application of an
appropriate panel of antibodies and awareness of PAMT
should result in the correct diagnosis being made [3].
GIST does not show the distinctive plexiform intramural
growth pattern and are typically positive for CD117 or
DOG1. Myxoid leiomyoma is positive for SMA, desmin
and caldesmon and plexiform neurofibroma is positive
for S-100 protein. Inflammatory fibroid polyp is usually
small submucosal lesion composed of epithelioid to
spindled fibroblasts and inflamma tory cells.
Due to its rarity, the true biological potential o f PAMT
remains unknown. However, the bland nuclear features,
low proliferative index and absence of necrosis, vascular
invasion, recurrence or metastasis in all PAMT cases
reported to date justify its characterization as a benign
tumor. Currently, complete excision remains the treat-
ment of choice.
4. Conclusion
PAMT is a very rare stomach tumor of mesenchymal
origin. The typical histologic features of PAMT include
multinodular plexiform growth pattern, spindle-shaped
tumor cells, myxoid stroma, and abundant blood vessels.
Immunohistochemical findings suggested that the tumor
cells were myofibroblastic in nature, with positive reac-
tions for SMA, but negative reactions for CD34, CD117,
S-100 protein, ALK, β-catenin, and H-caldesmon. The
Ki-67 labeling index was less than 1%. PAMT is a dis-
tinctive benign gastric antral neoplasm that should be
separated from GIST, nerve sheath tumors, and other
fibromyxoid neoplasms. When myxoid spindle cell lesion
is observed in endoscopic biopsy, PAMT should be in-
cluded in diferential diagnosis.
5. Acknowledgements
This work is supported in part by National Natural Sci-
ence Foundation of China (Nos. 30771120 and
81072103).
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