Pseudoneoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract.

Abstract

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