Diagnosis and multi-disciplinary management of hepatic metastases from gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST).
OBJECTIVE
To explore the present application of diagnosis and management of hepatic metastases from GIST.


METHODS
We performed a systematic review of the literature for studies concerning hepatic metastases from GIST. A literature search was performed using the Medline/PubMed databases to identify publications relevant to the review published from January 1998 to December 2008. Totally 113 relevant articles were retrieved. Abstracts from recent ASCO symposia were hand searched for relevant articles. After the primary filtration, articles on review and with repetitive content were excluded. The articles on clinical research, which were issued in authorized journals, were selected. At last, totally 69 articles were included for review.


RESULTS
The rate of liver metastases was reported as 15.9% in primary GISTs. The recurrence rate following surgical resection for hepatic metastases from GIST had been reported as 70-77%. For metastatic GIST patients with tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment, it demonstrated rates of CR, PR and SD respectively of 5.84%, 50.7%, and 32.4%. Combining repeated surgery with TKI treatment, R0/R1 resection rates range in various series between 48 and 82%. For those patients with unresectable disease confined to the liver or unable to tolerate liver resection due to co-morbidity or advanced age, RFA, HACE, TKI therapy, or even liver transplantation, can also improve survival.


CONCLUSIONS
The liver is a common metastatic site for gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST). Appropriate initial evaluation remains paramount for selecting the correct management strategy. Multi-disciplinary management (which includes pathology, medical oncology, surgical oncology, and imaging expertise) of this disease is important for both curative and palliative treatment in these patients. Combining repeated surgery with TKI treatment may be the most effective management for GIST patients with liver metastases.
Ye
Ying-Jiang
YJ
Department of Gastroenterology Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China.
Gao
Zhi-Dong
ZD
Poston
G J
GJ
Wang
Shan
S
D017115:Catheter Ablation; D016461:Chemoembolization, Therapeutic; D046152:Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D006498:Hepatectomy; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000556:secondary / Q000628:therapy; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011379:Prognosis; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use
D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors