title: GIST (gastro-intestinal stromal tumour) of the gallbladder: a case report.
abstract: The authors report a case of a gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) of the gallbladder. GISTs are rare mesenchymal tumours of the gastrointestinal tract, mesentery and omentum. GISTs are characterized by the expression of the KIT protein, a transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor for stem-cell factor. Only a few GISTs of the gallbladder have been described in the literature. The behaviour of these tumours is not fully understood but long-term survival is rare. Initial treatment consists of aggressive surgery. Radiotherapy and conventional chemotherapy have been mostly unsuccessful. More recently promising studies have been performed with Imatinib, an orally administered tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in patients with advanced disease.
authors.affiliation: Department Of Surgery, Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital (Wonford), Barrack Road, Exeter EX2 5DW.
authors.forename: I D L
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Peerlinck
authors.forename: T T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Irvin
authors.forename: P T L
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Sarsfield
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Harington
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D005706:Gallbladder Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000378:metabolism; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit