Synchronous occurrence of myelodysplastic syndrome and a bleeding jejunal gastrointestinal stromal tumor in a patient with obscure gastrointestinal bleed

Abstract

The coexistence of gastrointestinal (GI) stromal tumors (GISTs) and other malignancies, both synchronous or metachronous, has been discussed extensively in literature. It has also been described that the frequency of malignancies among patients with GIST is significantly higher than that in the general population. We present a case report of a patient with synchronous occurrence of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and a GIST who presented with chronic fatigue and an episode of syncope and was found to have obscure GI bleed. Laboratory investigations revealed severe anemia, marrow picture was suggestive of MDS, and magnetic resonance imaging of the abdomen revealed a proximal small bowel neoplasm. She underwent resection of the diseased segment and anastomosis. The histopathology of the specimen confirmed the diagnosis of a GIST arising from the jejunum. She was started on imatinib on postoperative day 21 and is presently well preserved and on regular follow-up. The possibility of small bowel neoplasm, especially GIST, must be considered in patients diagnosed with chronic anemia secondary to obscure GI bleed and the possibility of a synchronous GIST, although uncommon must be considered in patients with myeloproliferative disorders and leukemia.