title: Laparoscopic resection of a large GIST of the stomach: is it preferable in elderly patients? A case report.
abstract: Gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) of the stomach is extremely rare in the elderly. Surgical resection of the stomach by partial gastrectomy or wedge resection is the standard treatment. Today the resection can also be performed laparoscopically, especially in the case of small tumours as well as for larger GIST though there are unclearly defined oncological limits. The authors report the successful treatment of a large 7.5 cm GIST of the stomach by laparoscopic wedge resection in a 78-year-old patient. The GIST was almost entirely located intraperitoneally between the stomach and the spleen and could be radically resected with a minimal touch technique. The patient recovered promptly and manifested no recurrence at a 2-year follow-up. The authors focus on the main factors supporting the indication for laparoscopic resection of large gastric GIST, especially in the elderly. The surgical risk/benefit ratios of the different approaches, the surgeon's skills in laparoscopically respecting the rules of oncological surgery, and informed consent of the patient in relation to the limited scientific evidence concerning the main risk factors of recurrence are all important considerations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences, Transplantation and Advanced Technologies, University of Catania, Cannizzaro Hospital, Catania.
authors.forename: Gaetano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: La Greca
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Randazzo
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Barbagallo
authors.forename: Salvatrice
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gagliardo
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sofia
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chisari
authors.forename: Saverio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Latteri
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Russello
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D046152:Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005773:Gastroscopy; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D018579:Patient Selection; D012074:Remission Induction; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*