Gastric candidiasis with gastric adenocarcinoma intestinal type: A rare association

Gastric Adenocarcinoma with Superadded Candida Infection In A Chronic Alcoholic

“…[1] Gastro-intestinal candidiasis is diagnosed by the demonstration of infiltration of tissue or ulcer slough by candidal yeasts and hyphal filaments. [4] Candidal infection on the surface of gastric mucosa without infiltration must be ignored.…”

“…[4] Candidal infection on the surface of gastric mucosa without infiltration must be ignored. [1] As candida is a common commensal organism, its mere presence in culture studies or guided cytological smears must not suggest its gastric pathogenicity. [3] The patients usually present with epigastric pain/tenderness, fever with chills, nausea/vomiting, abdominal mass.…”

“…[1] Biopsies usually show intestinal type of gastric adenocarcinoma with candidal infiltration of the tumor or ulcer slough. [1] However our biopsy did not reveal neoplastic glands but rather neoplastic nests/clusters with polygonal tumor cells and also tumor cells with signet ring appearance. PAS and GMS special staining helps confirm the candidal superinfection.…”

“…Its association with benign gastric ulcers is more commonly seen compared to malignant ulcers. [1][2][3] Although apart from diabetics, immunosuppressive patients like HIV positive cases, steroid usage, anti-cancer drugs, systemic diseases, organ and marrow transplantation, chronic alcoholism and smoking are the risk factors, gastric candidiasis have been reported in immunocompetent healthy cases too. [4] Our rare case enlightens the definite diagnosis of gastric adenocarcinoma with superadded candida infection in a non-diabetic, chronic alcoholic with altered immune status.…”