Autoimmune Atrophic Gastritis Revealing an Incidental Fundic Carcinoma in a 45-Year-Old Woman: A Case Report

Authors

  • Essaoudi Mohamed Amine Department of Pathology, Military Hospital Mohammed V-Souissi, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco Author
  • Mohamed Reda Elochi Department of Pathology, Military Hospital Mohammed V-Souissi, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco Author
  • El Ktaibi Abderrahim Department of Pathology, Military Hospital Mohammed V-Souissi, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco Author
  • Allaoui Mohamed Department of Pathology, Military Hospital Mohammed V-Souissi, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco Author
  • Chahdi Hafsa Department of Pathology, Military Hospital Mohammed V-Souissi, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco Author
  • Damiri Amal Department of Pathology, Military Hospital Mohammed V-Souissi, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco Author
  • Oukabli Mohamed Department of Pathology, Military Hospital Mohammed V-Souissi, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47363/JPR/2026(8)190

Keywords:

Autoimmune, Atrophic Gastritis

Abstract

Autoimmune atrophic gastritis is characterized by parietal cell loss, fundic gland atrophy, and intestinal or pyloric metaplasia. Patients commonly present with refractory dyspepsia and severe vitamin B12 deficiency. Although the condition increases the risk of neuroendocrine tumors and adenocarcinoma, early detection remains challenging.

Case: We report a 45-year-old woman presenting with persistent epigastric pain unresponsive to therapy and severe vitamin B12 deficiency. Endoscopic biopsies performed to investigate suspected autoimmune gastritis showed fundic mucosal atrophy with antral-pyloric and intestinal metaplasia. Unexpectedly, one fragment revealed a dense cellular proliferation consistent with a poorly cohesive (signet-ring cell) adenocarcinoma infiltrating the atrophic fundic mucosa.

Conclusion: This case underscores the value of systematic gastric biopsies in autoimmune gastritis, which can reveal early or incidental carcinoma. Vigilance is particularly warranted in patients with long-standing atrophic gastritis and severe vitamin B12 deficiency.

Author Biographies

  • Essaoudi Mohamed Amine, Department of Pathology, Military Hospital Mohammed V-Souissi, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco

    Essaoudi Mohamed Amine, Department of Pathology, Military Hospital Mohammed V-Souissi, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco

  • Mohamed Reda Elochi, Department of Pathology, Military Hospital Mohammed V-Souissi, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco

    Mohamed Reda Elochi, Department of Pathology, Military Hospital Mohammed V-Souissi, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco

  • El Ktaibi Abderrahim, Department of Pathology, Military Hospital Mohammed V-Souissi, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco

    El Ktaibi Abderrahim, Department of Pathology, Military Hospital Mohammed V-Souissi, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco

  • Allaoui Mohamed, Department of Pathology, Military Hospital Mohammed V-Souissi, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco

    Allaoui Mohamed, Department of Pathology, Military Hospital Mohammed V-Souissi, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco

  • Chahdi Hafsa, Department of Pathology, Military Hospital Mohammed V-Souissi, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco

    Chahdi Hafsa, Department of Pathology, Military Hospital Mohammed V-Souissi, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco

  • Damiri Amal, Department of Pathology, Military Hospital Mohammed V-Souissi, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco

    Damiri Amal, Department of Pathology, Military Hospital Mohammed V-Souissi, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco

  • Oukabli Mohamed, Department of Pathology, Military Hospital Mohammed V-Souissi, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco

    Oukabli Mohamed, Department of Pathology, Military Hospital Mohammed V-Souissi, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco

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Published

2026-02-05

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 1 (2026): Volume 8 Issue 1

Section

Articles