title: Duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumors: review on clinical and surgical aspects.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) arising in the duodenum represent a rare entity and can be very demanding to manage. The diagnosis can be difficult (as these tumors can be misdiagnosed as pancreatic head tumors), and to treat owing to the complex anatomy of the duodenum and of the pancreatic head. Complete resection may require extensive procedures such as pancreaticodudodenectomy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An extensive literature review regarding clinico-pathological features, diagnostic investigations and surgical options in the management of duodenal GISTs has been performed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Duodenal GISTs have uncertain malignant potential, and they may be asymptomatic, or present with abdominal pain or bleeding. A preoperative diagnosis can be difficult to obtain. Endoscopic ultrasound and fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) may be helpful. Surgical R0 resection remains the only curative approach. However, owing to the complex anatomy of the duodenum, limited resection is not always feasible. In these cases, extensive procedures such as pancreaticoduodenectomy or pancreas-preserving duodenectomy are the treatment of choice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy. giuseppe.cavallaro@uniroma1.it
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cavallaro
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Polistena
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: D'Ermo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pedullà
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Toma
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001549:Benzamides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D004379:Duodenal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D046152:Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001549:Benzamides; D010879:Piperazines; D011743:Pyrimidines; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate