title: A rare case of giant gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the stomach involving the serosal surface.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although rare, gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are the most common mesenchymal tumors affecting the gastrointestinal tract.
  
  
  METHODS
  Here we report the case of a 43-year-old man complaining of abdominal pain along with a painless and palpable mass, which was confirmed on magnetic resonance and multislice computed tomography. Laparotomy revealed a nodular grayish-white firm noninfiltrative mass (39×27×14cm, 6109g) that was well localized within the extramuscular and peritoneal surface of the anterior wall of the stomach; complete tumor resection was performed. Histopathological examination revealed features typical of GIST, including increased cellularity, increased mitotic activity, and spindle shaped cells as well as positive immunoreactivity for KIT, CD34, and vimentin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A review of literature revealed that GISTs of the size and weight similar to the present case has been rarely reported. GIST most frequently involves the stomach. Although the etiopathogenesis of this disease remains unclear, few well-documented familial cases have been associated with GIST syndromes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The primary treatment preferred is complete surgical excision of the tumor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Antakya State Hospital, Hatay, Turkey. Electronic address: alikoyuncuer@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Koyuncuer
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Antakya State Hospital, Hatay, Turkey. Electronic address: leventgonlusen@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Levent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gönlüşen
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Antakya State Hospital, Hatay, Turkey. Electronic address: avkutsal@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Ahmet Vecihi
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Kutsal
keywords: Gastrointestinal; Giant; Stomach; Stromal; Tumor