A funny nodule

■ Inflammed granulation tissue

Was my first too! But it doesn't quite look right ...

■ Adenomatous polyp

Adenomatous polyps are usually smooth topped

■ Malignant polyp

An intramucosal cancer arising from the anastomosis

explanation

This patient had in the past undergone a Billroth II operation. You can see that the nodule is arising from the surgical anastomosis. 

Distal gastrectomy is a well-known risk factor for developing an anastomotic cancer later [Sitarz R. World J Gastro. 2012;18(25):3201–6].  

The risk of anastomotic cancer steadily increases after surgery. About 15 years after surgery, the risk exceeds that of the background population (age- and sex-matched). For this reason, surveillance has been suggested to start 15 yrs after surgery. The case for surveillance was strengthened by the fact that dysplasia can often be found in random biopsies from the anastomosis several years before cancer develops. 

In spite of this surveillance in not recommended. A surveillance study in Amsterdam traced 500 patients who had undergone  a distal gastrectomy for benign disease and only detected 10 cancers (6 were in an early stage). Furthermore, there was no survival advantage in the screened group after 10 years follow up [J Clin Pathol. 1984;37:748–54]. 

Other studies have also put the cancer yield by surveillance at around 2% and concluded that regular surveillance could not be recommended [Am J Surg 1977;134:581-4],   [ Lancet 1977;ii467-9]  [ Scan J Gastro 1981;suppl 16:169-71]. 

Nevertheless, my practise is to always take do 'opportunistic screening' by obtaining 6 biopsies or so from the gastric side of the anastomosis when I come across a case. 

On first glance the nodule appears to be inflamed granulation tissue only. However, there is an odd cleft in the centre and the base from which it arises is also nodular. The polyp was removed and was confirmed as harbouring intramucosal cancer.  Of course, after finding dysplasia (which often does not progress) or IMca, these patients should be offered surveillance.