Glomus tumors of the stomach

Gastric glomus tumors are benign maturely organized proliferations of glomus cells, blood vessels, and occasionally nerve bundles. They are surrounded by hypertrophic smooth muscle forming a pseudocapsule. Because there are no specific clinical or radiologic features associated with the glomus tumor, it can be recognized only by its histologic characteristics. Available data are inadequate for determining the histogenesis of this tumor. It may be a neoplasm, a hamartoma, or a functional hyperplasia. Local resection is sufficient therapy. Diagnosis from a frozen section is often difficult, but the pathologist's awareness of the existence of the gastric glomus tumor can prevent an unnecessarily extensive operative procedure.