Gastric lipoma: a rare cause of haematemesis

Abstract

Gastric lipomas are rare benign tumours of the stomach, representing less than 3% of all benign gastric neoplasms. They are usually asymptomatic but larger lesions can present with abdominal pain, gastric outlet obstruction and haematemesis. Malignant transformation is extremely rare. Accurate preoperative diagnosis can be established with computed tomography. Being benign, extensive surgery is not necessary and simple excision of the lesion is adequate. Small asymptomatic lesions can be followed up. We present a case of 80-year-old woman with gastric submucosal lipoma who presented with haematemesis.