title: [Gastrointestinal stromal tumours: a case report and review of the literature].
abstract: Gastrointestinal stromal tumours are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms of the digestive apparatus characterised by a complex histogenesis and lines of differentiation that make it difficult to predict their biological behaviour. Expression of the c-kit receptor in about 99% of gastrointestinal stromal tumours suggests they may originate from a common mesenchymal element with a variable possibility of phenotypical differentiation. The Authors report a case of small bowel gastrointestinal stromal tumour referred to them for severe bleeding and treated surgically. They then go on to analyse the diagnostic and therapeutic problems that such tumours entail. Surgery is currently the only therapeutic option capable of improving survival in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumours. Further studies are needed to assess the efficacy of laparoscopy and new chemotherapeutic agents.
authors.affiliation: Unità Operativa di Chirurgia Generale, Presidio Ospedaliero di Tarquinia, Azienda USL Viterbo.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Montesano
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Frittelli
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zanella
authors.forename: Francesco Strano
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Rossi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D046152:Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans