Gastrointestinal stromal tumors: clinical and pathological analysis of 24 cases.
BACKGROUND
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are mesenchymal neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract. They are positive for the expression of c-Kit protein at immunohistochemistry and their clinical presentation is variable. We conducted a study to identify true GISTs with known pathological and immunohistochemical criteria from other tumors of the gastrointestinal tract.


METHODS
The clinical records of patients with the diagnosis of schwannoma, leiomyoma, leiomyosarcoma and tumor of uncertain biological behavior of the gastrointestinal tract were identified and the slides of paraffin obtained for review by two experienced pathologists in the diagnosis of GISTs. The clinical presentation, treatment and outcomes were analyzed.


RESULTS
Twenty four GISTs (11 low-risk and 13 high-risk) were identified from 76 cases reviewed. All the confirmed GISTs were positive at immunohistochemistry for c-Kit expression. The two predominant location of the tumors were the stomach and small intestine. The outcome was good for benign and completely resected tumors.


CONCLUSIONS
True GISTs can be recognized from other tumors by histological analysis. Immunohistochemistry to identify c-Kit protein expression is useful to confirm the diagnosis. Physicians must consider GISTs in patients with a lesion of the gastrointestinal tract resembling a smooth muscle tumor or/and in association with chronic or acute bleeding.
Zepeda-Gomez
Sergio
S
Department of Gastroenterology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico.
Nuncio
Juan F
JF
Maldonado
Héctor
H
Arista-Nasr
Julian
J
Sánchez
Eduardo
E
Schmulson
Max
M
Uscanga
Luis
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D046152:Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged