Journal of Clinical Case Reports

About a Gastric Neuroendocrine Tumor Presenting as Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Macrocytic Anemia

Abstract

Ciro Manzo

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is considered the commonest rheumatic inflammatory disease in the elderly. The relationship between PMR and cancer is still complex. The possibility that PMR can represent a paraneoplastic syndrome has been more and more descripted. A lack of response to corticosteroid therapy is considered the principal element for looking for a paraneoplastic syndrome. Gastric gastrin-secreting tumor represents an uncommon gastric tumor, especially in the elderly. We describe the clinical case of a patient in which PMR associated with a mild macrocytic anemia was the key for diagnosis of a gastric gastrin-secreting tumor. Endoscopic removal of neoplastic polyps and an octreotide long-lasting therapy caused the prompt and permanent disappearance of PMR manifestations. According to our knowledge, it’s the first time that this association is descripted.