This site is intended for US healthcare professionals only.

To report an adverse reaction or product complaint, call 1-888-BLUPRNT, option 2, or visit or contact the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

 

Patient Portrayal 3

The following patient portrayals are examples of different patient types, which may help you recognize patients in your practice who may be at risk of SM. Patient portrayals are fictionalized through review of published literature and follow the WHO Diagnostic Criteria for SM.1,a These are not actual patients and are provided for educational purposes only and not intended as medical guidance or advice for practice. You are advised to use independent clinical judgment when making individual patient diagnoses and treatment decisions.

Patient Portrayal

Clinical Presentation

Mary is a 58-year-old female who suffers from nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. She was referred to a gastroenterologist who documented the following information:

  • Greater sensitivity to more foods (including dairy and nuts) and increased frequency of diarrhea2
  • Repeated episodes of abdominal pain, diarrhea, and bloating2
  • Abdominal exam and abdominal CT scan were both negative3

CT, computed tomography; GI, gastrointestinal; MC, mast cell; SM, systemic mastocytosis; WHO, World Health Organization.
a Please note, these are the anticipated changes to the WHO guidelines, 5th edition, volume 11; cited from the beta version (ahead of print) available online.1

Click through the options below to see additional information for Mary, including medical history, current medications, and laboratory results.

Given the patient’s clinical presentation that includes abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea,
here are some potential considerations when evaluating this fictional patient.

Questions to Consider for a Diagnostic Workup:

Click the plus button to reveal answers

Are there any additional abnormalities found during abdominal exam (eg, skin lesions,
changes in liver and spleen)?a

plus icon

No. The results of Mary’s abdominal exam and abdominal CT scan were negative, and there
was no evidence of visible skin lesions.

minus icon
 

Abdominal
exam

Does this patient have any elevated MC mediator-related symptoms?

plus icon

Yes. Activated MCs release various mediators, which result in a wide range of symptoms.
Mary is experiencing increased frequency of GI symptoms.1,2,4

minus icon
 

Does this patient have elevated serum tryptase levels?b

plus icon

No. The normal median tryptase level in the healthy population is ~5 ng/mL, with a range of
1-15 ng/mL.5,6 Mary’s initial serum tryptase level was 9 ng/mL with follow-up levels of ~10 ng/mL which meet the normal range.

minus icon
 

Does this patient have a KIT D816V mutation present detected by a high-sensitivity assay?b

plus icon

No. Using a peripheral blood test sample, a high-sensitivity assay did not confirm the
presence of a KIT D816V mutation.
7,8

minus icon
 

Does this patient have a presence of multifocal dense infiltrates of MCs (≥15 MCs in
aggregates) in bone marrow biopsy and/or biopsy of other extracutaneous organ(s)?

plus icon

No. A recent GI biopsy did not reveal the presence of multifocal dense infiltrates of MCs
(≥15 MCs in aggregates).
9

minus icon
 

aAbdominal exam.

bBlood work.

Based on these findings, what would be your diagnosis?

DIAGNOSIS plus icon

References:

  1. Verstovek S, Colmenero I, Cozzolino I, et al. Systemic mastocytosis. In: WHO Classification of Tumours Editorial Board. Haematolymphoid tumours [Internet; beta version ahead of print]. International Agency for Research on Cancer; 2023. (WHO classification of tumours series, 5th ed; vol 11). Accessed September 28, 2023. https://tumourclassification.iarc.who.int/chapters/63
  2. Ramsay DB, Stephen S, Borum M, et al. Mast cells in gastrointestinal disease. Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y). 2010;6(12):772-777.
  3. Hamilton MJ. Gastrointestinal manifestations of systemic mastocytosis. In: Akin E, ed. Mastocytosis. Springer, Cham; 2020:115-122.
  4. Theoharides TC, Valent P, Akin C. Mast cells, mastocytosis, and related disorders. N Engl J Med. 2015;373(2):163-172.
  5. Sperr WR, El-Samahi A, Kundi M, et al. Elevated tryptase levels selectively cluster in myeloid neoplasms: a novel diagnostic approach and screen marker in clinical haematology. Eur J Clin Invest. 2009;39(10):914-923.
  6. Schwartz LB. Diagnostic value of tryptase in anaphylaxis and mastocytosis. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2006;26(3):451-463.
  7. Pardanani A. Systemic mastocytosis in adults: 2023 update on diagnosis, risk stratification and management. Am J Hematol. 2023;98(7):1097-1116.
  8. Hoermann G, Sotlar K, Jawhar M, et al. Standards of genetic testing in the diagnosis and prognostication of systemic mastocytosis in 2022: recommendations in the EU-US Cooperative Group.
    J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2022;10(8):1953-1963.
  9. Doyle LA, Sepehr GJ, Hamilton MJ, Akin C, Castells MC, Hornick JL. A clinicopathologic study of 24 cases of systemic mastocytosis involving the gastrointestinal tract and assessment of mucosal
    mast cell density in irritable bowel syndrome and asymptomatic patients. Am J Surg Pathol. 2014;38(6):832-843.