Surgery on gastrountestinal stromal tumor CD117+ (G.I.S.T.) : personal experience
Cavallaro, A.; Lauretta, A.; Cavallaro, M.; Pennisi, S.; Cavallaro, V.
Annali Italiani di Chirurgia 77(2): 137-141
2006
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-469X PMID: 17147087 Document Number: 596646
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors are the most frequent (0,5-3%) mesenchymal tumors in the gastrointestinal tract. They probably originate from the interstitial cells of Cajal and are characterized by an anomaly of c-kit receptor, for a stem growth factor, with tyrosine-kinase activity (c-kit). This mutation causes a permanent activation of the receptor and uncontrolled cell growth. These tumors are associated with low survival in cases of advanced or metastatic disease. Imatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, induces improved survival in these patients. The authors discuss two cases of gastrointestinal stromal tumors surgically treated and also review the pathophysiology, diagnosis difficulties, role of surgery today, and treatment-related outcome of this type of tumors.