title: Primary gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the esophagus in an HIV-positive patient.
abstract: We describe a rare case of malignant gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) of the esophagus presenting in an HIV-positive man. Not only did the tumor arise from an unusual anatomic site for GIST, namely, the esophagus, but it also had a predominant epithelioid cell morphology that is uncommon and preferentially associated with aggressive behavior. Exhaustive immunohistochemical studies showed strong reactivities to the classic GIST marker, CD34, and to the current more sensitive and more specific GIST marker, CD117/ c-kit protein. This immunophenotype corresponded to that of stromal tumors arising in the more common sites like stomach and small intestine as well as to that of a reported series of esophageal GISTs in the general population. Mutations of the c-kit protein was detected in the tumor, confirming previous observations. This further documents that esophageal GIST and the more common benign esophageal spindle cell lesions are pathologically distinct entities and despite its rarity, esophageal GIST should be recognized by pathologists and clinicians. The occurrence of this tumor in an HIV-positive patient is coincidental, and it resulted in an extremely unusual metastatic site that has not been reported for GISTs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematophatology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Padula
authors.forename: Nena W
authors.initials: NW
authors.lastname: Chin
authors.forename: Suleiman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Azeez
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Resetkova
authors.forename: Jo Ann
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Andriko
authors.forename: Markku
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miettinen
mesh_terms: D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000032:analysis; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D019160:Endosonography; D015622:Epithelioid Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D046152:Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018193:Neoplasms, Complex and Mixed / Q000737:chemistry / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D018952:Antigens, CD34; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit