GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS AND TREATMENT OPTIONS OF THE PATIENTS WITH GASTROINTESTINAL STROMAL TUMOR

Abstract

Background: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are rare mesenchimal tumors may develop in any site in the gastrointestinal system. KIT gene mutations are detected in 95% of cases. In this study, we aimed to assess treatment options and general characteristics of patients with GIST.

Methods: GIST patients admitted to Abdurrahman Yurtaslan Oncology Education and Training hospital’s oncology clinic between February 2009 and May 2012 are observed retrospectively. Demographic characteristics of the patients and the treatment they received were recorded from hospital’s database.

Results: Eighteen patients included to study havinng Mean age of 57.8 years (32-78).  Five (28%) of the patients were female and thirteen (72%) were male. Diagnosis were made in 16 patients by pathological assessment of surgical material. Trucut biopsy and gastroscopic biopsy used for diagnosis in remaining two patients. Localizations of the tumor were as follows: small intestine in 9 patients, colon in 5 patients, stomach in 4 patients. All of the patients were KIT positive. Tumor was defined at high risk in 62%, at moderate risk in 17% and at low risk in 21% of the cases. Imatinib was administered in 5 patients with metastatic disease. Mean follow up period for the patients was 48 months. Relapse or progression developed in 4 of all patients in follow up period. Only one of the five patients with metastaic disease developed progression. Other 3 cases were relapsed.

Conclusion: Surgical resection of tumor without fragmentatin is the main treatment of localized GIST cases. Imatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is used in metastatic/ inoperable tumors and in cases at high risk for metastasis, recently. In conclusion, after surgical resection of the tumor, we suggest Imatinib treatment in patients considered at high risk.