Long-term follow-up in 54 surgically treated patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumours.
BACKGROUND
Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumours of the alimentary tract. Since these tumours are rather resistant to radiation and conventional chemotherapy, prognosis may be poor. Imatinib, a KIT tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has been shown to have dramatic antitumour effects on GISTs; however, surgical en bloc resection of the tumour with free resection margins remains still the first option for cure.


METHODS
Here, we present a retrospective study with 54 consecutive GIST patients who were treated surgically at our University Hospital between 1993 and 2005 and were followed up at 5 and 10 years.


RESULTS
The disease-specific survival rate was 94% at 1 year, 91% at 3 years, 76% at 5 years, and 72% at 10 years. In univariate analysis, tumour size, mitotic rate, morphology, and necrosis predicted survival in patients with negative margins. Age, sex, and symptoms did not influence outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
GISTs have a high incidence of associated secondary malignancies which may have a significant influence on prognosis and outcome. Patients with R0 resections had a significantly better survival rate of 86% at 5 years and of 81% at 10 years than those with R1 and R2 resections (21% and 0%).
Richter
Konrad Klaus
KK
Department of General, Visceral and Vascular Surgery, University Friedrich-Schiller of Jena, Jena, Germany. KONRAD.richter@sdhb.govt.nz
Schmid
Constanze
C
Thompson-Fawcett
Mark
M
Settmacher
Utz
U
Altendorf-Hofmann
Annelore
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D046152:Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008940:Mitotic Index; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate; D055815:Young Adult