Malignant inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor: a rare case presentation

Malignant inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMT) are extremely rare, aggressive tumors with variable presentation. This is a case of a 29-year-old female presented with severe anemia and a large abdominal mass presumed to be a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). Severe anemia, leukocytosis and thrombocytosis accompanied the presentation. Final pathological assessment yielded a diagnosis of malignant IMT. Given the rarity of these tumors, no established diagnostic criteria exist aside from histological analysis of the tissue, which may result in delays or inappropriate treatment. As these tumors are aggressive in nature, a high index of suspicion is critical to improve outcomes. Further reports on the presentation, diagnosis and treatment of such rare tumors are important to develop clinical diagnostic guidelines to improve diagnosis and treatment and improve outcomes.