A case series on gastro intestinal stromal tumors at various sites

ABSTRACT

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) represent only 0.1 to 3% of all gastrointestinal malignances. They are neoplasms with varying malignant potential ranging from virtually indolent tumors to rapidly progressing tumors. GISTs harbor an activating mutation in either kit or platelet derived growth Factor A (PDGTKA). Confirmation of diagnosis was mainly made by immunohistochemistry. We encountered 3 cases of GISTs with varying presentation. First one was a case of chronic abdominal pain for which the patient was evaluated and found to have mesenteric GIST and was operated electively after thorough work up. Second one presented as a case of acute abdomen. There was a small bowel gist causing intraluminal obstruction. The third one was a case of epigastric pain with recent episode of hemetemesis and malena for which she was evaluated with upper Gastro intestinal scopy and found to have gastric gist with low malignant potential. Patient underwent elective wide local excision of tumor with follow-up.