title: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors: clinical and pathological analysis of 24 cases.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zepeda-Gomez
authors.forename: Juan F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Nuncio
authors.forename: Héctor
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Maldonado
authors.forename: Julian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Arista-Nasr
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sánchez
authors.forename: Max
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schmulson
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Uscanga
mesh_terms: 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