title: Could imatinib replace surgery in esophageal gastrointestinal stromal tumor.
abstract: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors GISTs are cellular spindle, or epithelioid tumors that occur in the stomach, intestine, and rarely in the esophagus. A 61-year-old man was complaining of resistant dry cough with dysphagia for one month duration. Upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopic examination showed a polypoid mass 30 cm from the incisors obstructing 50% of the lumen, where multiple biopsies were taken. Magnetic resonance imaging MRI showed a mass in the wall of the esophagus extending into the thoracic cavity. Histologically, the stained sections with the routine hematoxylin and eosin as well as the immunohistochemical stains for CD117, CD34, S100, vimentin, and smooth muscle actin confirmed the diagnosis of esophageal GIST. The patient was treated with imatinib, 400 mg/day. There was a dramatic reduction in the size of the tumor with successful improvement of his symptoms after 2 months of treatment, which was confirmed by repeated upper GIT endoscopy, and MRI.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Alain, United Arab Emirates. suhsalam@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Suhail
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Al-Salam
authors.forename: Hassan A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: El-Teraifi
authors.forename: Mazen S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Taha
mesh_terms: D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000032:analysis; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001549:Benzamides; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D046152:Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000032:analysis; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D018952:Antigens, CD34; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001549:Benzamides; D010879:Piperazines; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011743:Pyrimidines; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit