title: Long-term follow-up in 54 surgically treated patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumours.
abstract: 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%).
authors.affiliation: Department of General, Visceral and Vascular Surgery, University Friedrich-Schiller of Jena, Jena, Germany. KONRAD.richter@sdhb.govt.nz
authors.forename: Konrad Klaus
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.forename: Constanze
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schmid
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thompson-Fawcett
authors.forename: Utz
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Settmacher
authors.forename: Annelore
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Altendorf-Hofmann
mesh_terms: 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