Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor successfully treated with chemotherapy and nonsteroidals: a case report

Abstract

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) occurring at retroperitoneal sites has rarely been reported. We report the case of a previously well 14-year-old girl with no history of abdominal disease whose past medical history and family tumor history were unremarkable. She complained of intermittent abdominal pain for one month. An abdominal mass was found on physical examination and abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) showed a hypodense soft mass, the size and location of which suggested a well delineated retroperitoneal tumor surrounding the superior mesenteric vessels measuring 3.3 cm × 4.5 cm × 4.5 cm with enlarged lymph nodes. The patient underwent an exploratory laparotomy followed by biopsy and was subsequently diagnosed with retroperitoneal IMT. She was successfully treated with postoperative chemotherapy and oral diclofenac sodium. Following completion of therapy the mass was no longer palpable and no longer visible on CT scanning. The use of methotrexate and cisplatin for aggressive myofibroblastic tumors is also reviewed.

Keywords: Chemotherapy; Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor; Nonsteroidals; Retroperitoneum; Therapy.

Figure 1

Photograph of abdominal computer tomography. A: The complex soft tissue involved including the mesenteric vessels (arrow); B: Disappearance of the mass.

Figure 2

Photomicrograph of the tumor cells. A: A proliferation of spindle tumor cells (hematoxylin and eosin stain, × 200); B: Positivity for smooth muscle actin (× 200).