Hemoperitoneum due to a ruptured gastric stromal tumor

Background/Aims: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors form a group of uncommon n eoplasms originated from pluripotential mesenchymal cells. Many patients ar e asymptomatic and the tumor is discovered during an abdominal operation. M assive intraperitoneal bleeding is an exceptional complication associated w ith high mortality rates. Our aim is to report a case of a gastric stromal tumor in an 83-year-old patient presenting with intraperitoneal hemorrhage and hypovolemic shock, successfully operated. Methods: Emergency laparotomy showed a hemoperitoneum caused by rupture of a large exogastric tumor atta ched to the greater curvature, Total gastrectomy and esophagojejunostomy wa s performed. Results: Histological examination revealed proliferation of sp indle-shaped cells but immunocytochemistry failed to identify specific mark ers of smooth muscle and neural cells. Diagnosis of a gastric stromal tumor was made. Postoperative evolution was uncomplicated. Conclusion: Gastric s tromal tumor is a relatively rare neoplasm of mesenchymal origin whose natu re and prognosis is unclear.