Pseudoneoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract.
BACKGROUND
The pathologist plays the leading role in distinguishing pseudoneoplasms from truly neoplastic lesions in the gastrointestinal tract.


OBJECTIVE
This review was conducted to heighten awareness of pseudoneoplasms, to help differentiate among the various types of pseudoneoplasms, and to help distinguish pseudoneoplasms from malignancies.


METHODS
This review is based on the medical literature on pseudoneoplasms in MEDLINE and the authors' own experiences. Reference lists of retrieved articles were also reviewed to identify additional articles.


CONCLUSIONS
A classification of pseudoneoplasms, according to the mechanism of injury to the gastrointestinal tract, morphologic patterns, and heterotopia, may be useful in providing a diagnostic framework in which ancillary techniques often have a diagnostic role. Several pseudoneoplasms may be closely associated with true neoplasms (eg, malakoplakia, prolapsetype lesions) because of the nonspecific nature of the response of the intestine to injury.
De Petris
Giovanni
G
Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona 85259, USA. depetris.giovanni@mayo.edu
Leung
Stanley T
ST
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000145:classification / Q000473:pathology*; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000145:classification / Q000473:pathology; D006104:Granuloma, Plasma Cell / Q000145:classification / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans