title: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are the most frequent non-epithelial tumors of the alimentary tract. The interstitial cells of Cajal or more primitive progenitor mesenchymal cells are suggested as their cells of origin. GIST's occur throughout the gastrointestinal tract but are generally located in the stomach and the intestine. About 70% of GIST's are immunohistochemically positive for CD34 and more than 90% for c-kit protein (CD117). About two thirds of GIST's are malignant. The tumor size, mitotic rate, cellularity and nuclear pleomorphism are the most important parameters characterizing the biological behavior of tumors. The diagnostic procedures are similar to those of other gastrointestinal neoplasms but only a half of the patients will have correct preoperative histological diagnosis. GIST's can be cured only by surgery. The procedure of choice, if possible, is resection without extended lymphadenectomy. Radiation and chemotherapy are generally ineffective.
  
  
  METHODS
  22 patients were operated on for GISTs in our department between 1996 and 2003.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All but one proved to be benign. The patients were all asymptomatic after the operation except the malignant case. In his case an irresectable local recurrence developed later.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GIST is a rare neoplasm of the GI tract. The only possibility for treatment of GISTs is surgical removal.
authors.affiliation: 2nd Department of Surgery, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sugár
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Forgács
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: István
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bognár
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Sápy
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ondrejka
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D046152:Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D033162:Incidental Findings; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D012189:Retrospective Studies