Gastrointestinal stromal tumor of colon: a case report and review of literature.
BACKGROUND
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal neoplasm of the gastrointestinal tract. GISTs originate from cells of Cajal and related stem cells. Surgery and imatinib therapy are the main lines of treatment.


METHODS
We report on a case with GIST in the colon treated with surgical resection followed by adjuvant imatinib therapy. This treatment showed no side-effects, and subsequent colonoscopy was unremarkable.


CONCLUSIONS
The diagnosis was delayed for 12 months after initial presentation of vague abdominal pain, thus highlighting the need to improve clinical suspicion in order to detect GISTs in earlier stages when resection may be curative. Colonic GIST, in particular, may mimic presentation similar to ovarian cyst, as seen in the present case. This case report corroborates that patients with high-grade GISTs can be effectively treated with imatinib therapy. However, duration of treatment may vary depending on the grade of the tumor and side-effects.
MBBS, Director, Section of GI Cancers and Experimental Therapeutics, Tufts University School of Medicine and Tufts Cancer Center, 800 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111, U.S.A. wsaif@tuftsmedicalcenter.org.
Azfar Khan
AK
Niazi
Kristin
K
Kaley
Muhammad Wasif
MW
Saif
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001549:Benzamides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D046152:Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D008875:Middle Aged; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001549:Benzamides; D010879:Piperazines; D011743:Pyrimidines; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate
GIST; Gastrointestinal stromal tumor; imatinib; treatment of GIST; tumors of intestines