title: Diagnosis and surgical treatment of esophageal gastrointestinal stromal tumors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To retrospectively evaluate our experience with the diagnosis and surgical resection of esophageal gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Between January 2003 and August 2014, five esophageal GIST cases were admitted to our hospital. In this study, the hospital records, surgery outcomes, tumor recurrence and survival of these patients were retrospectively reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median age of the patients was 45.6 years (range: 12-62 years). Three patients presented with dysphagia, and one patient presented with chest discomfort. The remaining patient was asymptomatic. Four patients were diagnosed with esophageal GISTs by a preoperative endoscopic biopsy. Three patients underwent esophagectomy, and two patients underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. The mean operating time was 116 min (range: 95-148 min), and the mean blood loss was 176 mL (range: 30-300 mL). All tumors were completely resected. The mean length of postoperative hospital stay was 8.4 d (range: 6-12 d). All patients recovered and were discharged successfully. The median postoperative follow-up duration was 48 mo (range: 29-72 mo). One patient was diagnosed with recurrence, one patient was lost to follow-up, and three patients were asymptomatic and are currently being managed with close radiologic and clinical follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Surgery is the standard, effective and successful treatment for esophageal GISTs. Long-term follow-up is required to monitor recurrence and metastasis.
authors.affiliation: Fang-Biao Zhang, Xiang-Yan Zhang, Shao-Song Tu, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Lishui Center Hospital, Lishui 323000, Zhejiang Province, China.
authors.forename: Fang-Biao
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Fang-Biao Zhang, Xiang-Yan Zhang, Shao-Song Tu, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Lishui Center Hospital, Lishui 323000, Zhejiang Province, China.
authors.forename: Hong-Can
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.affiliation: Fang-Biao Zhang, Xiang-Yan Zhang, Shao-Song Tu, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Lishui Center Hospital, Lishui 323000, Zhejiang Province, China.
authors.forename: Yu-Sheng
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Shu
authors.affiliation: Fang-Biao Zhang, Xiang-Yan Zhang, Shao-Song Tu, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Lishui Center Hospital, Lishui 323000, Zhejiang Province, China.
authors.forename: Wei-Ping
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.affiliation: Fang-Biao Zhang, Xiang-Yan Zhang, Shao-Song Tu, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Lishui Center Hospital, Lishui 323000, Zhejiang Province, China.
authors.forename: Shi-Chun
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: Fang-Biao Zhang, Xiang-Yan Zhang, Shao-Song Tu, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Lishui Center Hospital, Lishui 323000, Zhejiang Province, China.
authors.forename: Xiang-Yan
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Fang-Biao Zhang, Xiang-Yan Zhang, Shao-Song Tu, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Lishui Center Hospital, Lishui 323000, Zhejiang Province, China.
authors.forename: Shao-Song
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Tu
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D002648:Child; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D046152:Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D061646:Operative Time; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Esophagus; Gastrointestinal stromal tumors; Recurrence