title: Surgical management of gastrointestinal stromal tumors: a single centre's experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) represent 85% of all mesenchymal neoplasms that affect the gastrointestinal track. Aim of this study is to report a case series of 18 GISTs treated surgically in a single centre and to discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic issues regarding these tumors.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective search of the unit's medical records from 2002 to 2014 was carried out, to collect all cases diagnosed and treated for GISTs. Demographics and clinical features was obtained for all relevant cases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighteen cases (18) of GIST were identified. Eleven tumors were located in the stomach, 3 tumors in the duodenum and 4 tumors in the jejunum. The mean age at diagnosis was 62.5 (range 42-81) years, while the male to female ratio was 1.57/1 (11 males/7 females). Patients presented with a variety of symptoms and all underwent surgery. The 5-year-survival rate of these patients was 50%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Due to non-specific presentation of GISTs, initial diagnosis of these tumors may be delayed. High clinical suspicion and knowledge of their characteristics are essentials in order to achieve an early diagnosis and lead patients to surgery as soon as possible. Hippokratia 2015, 19 (1): 73-75.
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Surgery, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sapalidis
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Surgery, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Panteli
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Surgery, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Strati
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Surgery, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Anastasiadis
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Surgery, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kanellos
keywords: GIST; c-KIT; imatinib; mesenchymal tumors; surgical management