[Inflammatory fibroid polyp: from Vanek's 'submucosal granuloma' to the concept of submucosal mesenchymal neoplasia]

Inflammatory fibroid polyps (IFP) were described by Vanek 60 years ago as "submucosal granuloma with eosinophilic infiltration". IFP represent polypous proliferations of spindle cells in the submucosa and mucosa of the stomach, small bowel and colon with inflammatory infiltration. The lesions have been regarded as inflammatory and reactive. Recent data show that the spindle cells express PDGFRA, and the majority of IFP harbour activating PDGFRA mutations. Therefore, IFP represent true benign mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract.