Gastrointestinal stromal tumours: A single institution study

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) are the most common mesenchymal tumours of the gastrointestinal tract arising from the interstitial cells of Cajal with an increasing incidence. It can occur anywhere from the esophagus to the anus. It has a few works of literature to its credit in India. Hence we conducted the study to evaluate the epidemiology, clinical and histopathological findings, management and survival pattern of gastrointestinal stromal tumours treated in our surgical setup. Methods and Methodology: A retrospective cross-sectional study conducted at the department of general surgery/ surgical oncology between 2011 and 2016. Data were collected according to demographic characteristics, clinical pattern, investigations, treatment and therapeutic variable and was analysed and reviewed. Results: On analysing, we found that among 32 patients diagnosed with GIST had a median age of 56.5 years and a sex ratio of 1.4:1.Non-specific abdominal pain was the most common symptom.18 of the tumours was found in the stomach, 11 in the small bowel and 2 in the rectum and 1 in the colon. All were confirmed by the positivity of CD 117. All underwent surgical resection with adjuvant Imatinib. The overall survival was 71% in one year. Conclusion: The size of the tumour and the mitotic index were identified as the prognostic factors. GISTs managed by aiming to complete surgical resection combined with targeted chemotherapy had a good prognosis.