Aims: Inflammatory fibroid polyps (IFP) are proliferations of CD34-positive spindle cells in the submucosa and mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract with an inflammatory infiltrate. IFP occur in the stomach, small bowel, colon and esophagus. To date, etiology and pathogenesis are unclear.
Methods: A total of 29 IFP originating in the stomach, small bowel and colon were examined immunohistochemically, and mutational analyses of PDGFRA exons 10, 12, 14 and 18 were conducted.
Results: Activating mutations in PDGFRA exons 12 and 18 were found in 20 cases (69%). The mutational types are related to mutations known from gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). D842V was the most frequent mutation. No activating mutations were found in exons 10 and 14.
Conclusions: The majority of IFP reveal activating PDGFRA mutations. Our data indicate that IFP are true neoplasms (true benign tumors) and not reactive lesions. In terms of pathogenesis, the relationship between PDGFRA-mutant GISTs and IFP remains to be determined.