When is a GIST not a GIST? A case report of synchronous metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor and fibromatosis.
BACKGROUND
A number of non-malignant diseases that share similar morphological features as gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) have been reported. Co-existence of GIST with these other diseases is rarely recognized or reported.


METHODS
We report a case of a 62 year-old man with long-term stable control of metastatic GIST with systemic therapy, presented with an apparent intra-abdominal progression but not supported by imaging with positron emission tomography. Subsequent resection of the intra-abdominal tumor identified a non-malignant fibroid.


CONCLUSIONS
Differentiating localized progression of GIST from other diseases has important prognostic and therapeutic implications. The potential for co-existence of non-malignant soft tissue neoplasm should always be considered.
Lee
Chee Khoon
CK
Department of Medical Oncology, Prince of Wales Hospital, NSW, Australia. cklee1976@yahoo.com
Hadley
Alison
A
Desilva
Keshani
K
Smith
Gareth
G
Goldstein
David
D
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005350:Fibroma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D046152:Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000378:metabolism; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit