Bizarre stromal cells in the oesophagus

Inflammatory pseudotumours of the oesophagus – histological and immunohistochemical findings

“…Mitotic activity was minimal; we noted rare mitoses in only one of our cases and increased mitotic activity was noted to be uncommon in the previously reported cases . The presence of bizarre stromal cells is reportedly less common: although they were identified in all 12 of our cases, they have been noted in only seven of the cases in the literature . These bizarre cells have been referred to as ‘ulcerocytes’ (H. Appelman, personal communication), which links them appropriately to the underlying inflammatory cause.…”

“…IPT of the oesophagus are rare, and in our search of the literature only 18 cases with histological descriptions have been reported in the English literature since 1975 . These are summarized in Table .…”

Bizarre Stromal Cells in the Esophagus

“…2 BSCs have been reported in several organ systems (eg, upper respiratory tract, urinary bladder, endometrium and lower gynecologic tract, 7 prostate, and gut). In the gastrointestinal tract, BSCs have been found in the esophagus and also in ischemic colitis, 8 in gastric ulcers, [1][2][3][4] in pseudopolyps of inflammatory bowel disease, 9 in granulation tissue near surgical anastomoses, and in anal fibroepithelial polyps. 10 The common trait in all the BCS sites is the occurrence in association with reparative processes and inflammation.…”

“…1 The esophagus appears, however, particularly susceptible to the formation of bizarre stromal cells (BSCs). [1][2][3][4] BSCs can be encountered in the biopsy or endoscopic resection of esophageal polyps of both squamous and glandular mucosa. Polypoid masses within the distal esophagus are prone to inflammation resulting perhaps from gastroesophageal reflux disease or from trauma caused by the passage of food boluses.…”

Polyps and Tumour‐Like Lesions of the Oesophagus

“…Importantly, these lesions can occasionally mimic malignancy when they harbour bizarre stromal cells within areas of granulation tissue or exhibit atypical regenerative hyperplasia of the epithelial component, either squamous or glandular, or both ( Figure 6.1b) [5,6]. Stromal cells with marked nuclear enlargement and pleomorphism may mimic melanoma, carcinoma or sarcoma but are immunoreactive for vimentin and sometimes smooth muscle actin, suggesting that they are of fibroblastic or myofibroblastic origin: these cells are negative for melanocytic, epithelial, histiocytic and endothelial immunohistochemical markers.…”