Extraluminal inflammatory fibroid polyp mimicking as wandering fibroid/GIST

Haridev Sankar, Naveen Alexander, Bhuvaneshwari Harikrishnan
In: BMJ Case Reports · 2026 · vol. 19(2) , pp. e264292 · doi:10.1136/bcr-2024-264292 · PMID:41629110 · W7127092512
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Abstract

Vanek's tumour, also called an inflammatory fibroid polyp (IFP), is a rare, non-cancerous growth from the submucosa of the gastrointestinal tract. We report the case of a woman in her mid-50s who came to the gynaecology clinic with breathlessness and anaemia. Initial imaging with an abdominal ultrasound and pelvic MRI showed a 4×4×4 cm pelvic mass, suspected to be a wandering fibroid, and surgical removal was planned. During the surgery, the mass was unexpectedly found to come from the jejunum. The general surgery team was consulted, and a 4×4×4 cm mass outside the jejunum was removed, initially thought to be a gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST). However, the histopathological exam showed that the lesion was an IFP, confirmed by immunohistochemistry, which tested negative for CD117. Unlike GISTs, IFPs are completely benign, have no chance of becoming cancerous and rarely come back after full removal. Extraluminal cases of IFPs are extremely rare in the literature. Recognising these unusual cases is crucial to prevent misdiagnosis, guide proper surgical management and reassure patients about their prognosis.

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