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Malignant tumor-like gastric lesion due to candida albicans in a diabetic patient treated with cyclosporin: a case report and review of the literature

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Abstract

The gastrointestinal tract of healthy individuals is colonized by hundreds of saprophytes and mycetes, especially the Candida species, are habitual ones. Under certain conditions, the fungal flora may overgrow, resulting in lesions of the digestive mucosa which, rarely, can have a local diffusion and/or spread to the lympho-hematogenous system. Mycotic infections of the stomach can sometimes look like benign gastric ulcers. Here, we present the case report of a woman, aged 64, who presented with type II diabetes mellitus and psoriasis, on chronic treatment with cyclosporin A and with endoscopic evidence of an ulcerated, vegetating gastric lesion secondary to Candida albicans infection. Although strongly suggestive of malignancy, it completely healed after cyclosporin withdrawal and the administration of oral antifungal drugs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Internal Medicine, Department of Clinical Medicine and Emerging Diseases, University Hospital of Palermo, Via del Vespro, 141-90146, Palermo, Italy

    Pasquale Mansueto, Giuseppe Pisciotta, Aurelio Seidita, Alberto D’Alcamo, Angelo Maria Patti, Delia Sprini, Giovam Battista Rini & Gaetana Di Fede

  2. Surgery Department, University Hospital of Palermo, Palermo, Italy

    Giovanni Tomasello

  3. Pathology Department, University Hospital of Palermo, Palermo, Italy

    Daniela Cabibi

  4. Internal Medicine, Ospedali Civili Riuniti di Sciacca (AG), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy

    Antonio Carroccio

Authors
  1. Pasquale Mansueto
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  2. Giuseppe Pisciotta
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  3. Giovanni Tomasello
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  4. Daniela Cabibi
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  5. Aurelio Seidita
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  6. Alberto D’Alcamo
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  7. Angelo Maria Patti
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  8. Delia Sprini
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  9. Antonio Carroccio
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  10. Giovam Battista Rini
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  11. Gaetana Di Fede
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Pasquale Mansueto.

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Mansueto, P., Pisciotta, G., Tomasello, G. et al. Malignant tumor-like gastric lesion due to candida albicans in a diabetic patient treated with cyclosporin: a case report and review of the literature. Clin Exp Med 12, 201–205 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10238-011-0158-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10238-011-0158-1

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