Metastatic duodenal GIST: role of surgery combined with imatinib mesylate.
BACKGROUND
The best possible treatment of metastatic high grade large duodenal GIST is controversial. Surgery (with or without segmental organ resection) remains the principal treatment for primary and recurrent GIST. However, patients with advanced duodenal GIST have a high risk of early tumour recurrence and short life expectancy.


METHODS
We present a case of a young man treated with a combined modality of surgery and imatinib for an advanced duodenal GIST.


RESULTS
He remains asymptomatic and disease free 42 months following this combined approach.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment with imatinib has dramatically improved the outlook for patients with advanced, unresectable and/or metastatic disease.
Mohiuddin
Kamran
K
Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. drkamran@cyber.net.pk
Nizami
Saira
S
Munir
Asma
A
Memon
Breda
B
Memon
Muhammed A
MA