Clinical features of gastric duplications: evidence from primary case reports and published data.

BACKGROUND: Alimentary tract duplications are rare congenital lesions, and only 2-8% of them are located in the stomach. Gastric duplications (GD) can lead to severe adverse events. Thus, surgical resection is required once the disease is diagnosed. The main purpose of this study is to describe the clinical features of gastric duplications and to provide evidence for the diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: A retrospective review of eight gastric duplications at two medical centers Peking University People's Hospital (PKUPH) and Shandong Provincial Hospital from 2010 to 2020 was conducted. Furthermore, the literature search was also conducted by retrieving data from PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases from the date of the database inception to January 15, 2021. RESULTS: Eight patients who were diagnosed as gastric duplications and 311 published records were included in this study. In all, 319 patients were identified: Vomiting and abdominal pain were the most frequent clinical presentations among juveniles and adults respectively. There was no difference in gender distribution (F: 53.16% vs M: 46.84%), and the cystic gastric duplications were the most common type of the gastric duplications (87.04%). More than half (53.30%) of included cases were located in the greater curvature of stomach. CONCLUSIONS: Gastric duplications could present with a wide spectrum of symptomatology, which might be misdiagnosed easily as other diseases. For cystic gastric duplications, the optimal treatment was a complete surgical removal. But conservative treatment might be an alternative strategy for tubular gastric duplications.

Different Medical Features and Strategies of Large Rectal Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor: A Multi-Central Pooling Analysis.

PURPOSE: The rectum is a rare site for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). Tumors in this critical anatomical site are prone to develop local recurrence, and this occurs at a high level even in low-risk tumors. Previous studies found that high-risk was the most common category in rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumors (RGISTs), and size was the most important factor affecting the long-term prognosis. We aimed to find out the most influential factor on clinical outcomes, and describe demographics, oncological differences, and surgical procedures in patients with poor prognosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data on consecutive patients with RGIST, who were diagnosed at Peking University People's Hospital, Shandong Province Hospital, and The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University from 2010 to 2020, were retrospectively evaluated. Further, a literature search was conducted by retrieving data from PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library databases from inception up to March 20, 2020. RESULTS: In all, 50 patients were diagnosed with RGIST at three medical centers, and 86 published records were finally included in the literature review. Combined analysis of the whole individual patient data showed that 5.5 cm was deemed an appropriate cut-off value for L-RGIST, and that patients usually showed a male predominance (67.59%), younger age at onset (56.61 years), higher operative difficulty, and poorer prognosis. CONCLUSION: Separation of patients with large RGIST from general patients may contribute to the recognition of the oncological characteristics and clinical management of this rare type of tumor.

Clinical features of multiple gastrointestinal stromal tumors: A pooling analysis combined with evidence and gap map.

BACKGROUND: Multiple gastrointestinal stromal tumors (MGISTs) are a very rare type of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) and are usually observed in syndrome. AIM: The paper aimed to describe the clinical and oncological features of MGISTs and to offer evidence for the diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: Data of consecutive patients with MGISTs who were diagnosed at Peking University People's Hospital (PKUPH) from 2008 to 2019 were retrospectively evaluated. Further, a literature search was conducted by retrieving data from PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane library databases from inception up to November 30, 2019. RESULTS: In all, 12 patients were diagnosed with MGISTs at PKUPH, and 43 published records were ultimately included following the literature review. Combined analysis of the whole individual patient data showed that female (59.30%), young (14.45%), and syndromic GIST (63.95%) patients comprised a large proportion of the total patient population. Tumors were mainly located in the small intestine (58.92%), and both CD117 and CD34 were generally positive. After a mean 78.32-mo follow-up, the estimated median overall survival duration (11.5 years) was similar to single GISTs, but recurrence-free survival was relatively poorer. CONCLUSION: The clinical and oncological features are potentially different between MGISTs and single GIST. Further studies are needed to explore appropriate surgical approach and adjuvant therapy.

Long noncoding RNA HIT000218960 promotes papillary thyroid cancer oncogenesis and tumor progression by upregulating the expression of high mobility group AT-hook 2 (HMGA2) gene.

Accumulating evidence suggests that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in oncogenesis and tumor progression. However, our knowledge of lncRNAs in thyroid cancer is still limited. To explore the crucial lncRNAs involved in oncogenesis of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), we acquired data of differentially expressed lncRNAs between PTC tissues and paired adjacent noncancerous thyroid tissues through lncRNA microarray. In the microarray data, we observed that a newly identified lncRNA, HIT000218960, was significantly upregulated in PTC tissues and associated with a well-known oncogene, high mobility group AT-hook 2 (HMGA2) gene. Both in normal thyroid tissues and PTC tissues, the expression of HIT000218960 was significantly positively correlated with that of HMGA2 mRNA. Knockdown of HIT000218960 in PTC cells resulted in downregulation of HMGA2. In addition, functional assays indicated that inhibition of HIT000218960 in PTC cells suppressed cell proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion in vitro. Increased HIT000218960 expression in PTC tissues was obviously correlated with lymph node metastasis and multifocality, as well as TNM stage. Those findings suggest that HIT000218960 might acts as a tumor promoter through regulating the expression of HMGA2.

Identifying a Safe Range of Stimulation Current for Intraoperative Neuromonitoring of the Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve: Results from a Canine Model.

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) has been widely applied during thyroid surgery. However, the safe range of stimulation intensity for IONM remains undetermined. METHODS: Total thyroidectomies were performed on twenty dogs, and their RLNs were stimulated with a current of 5-20 mA (step-wise in 5 mA increments) for 1 min. The evoked electromyography (EMG) of vocal muscles before and after supramaximal stimulation were recorded and compared. Acute microstructural morphological changes in the RLNs were observed immediately postoperatively under an electron microscope. RESULTS: The average stimulating threshold for RLNs stimulated with 15 mA and 20 mA showed no significant changes compared to the unstimulated RLNs (15 mA group: 0.320 ± 0.123 mA vs. 0.315 ± 0.097 mA, P = 0.847; 20 mA group: 0.305 ± 0.101 mA vs. 0.300 ± 0.103 mA, P = 0.758). Similar outcomes were shown in average evoked EMG amplitude (15 mA group: 1,026 ± 268 µV vs. 1,021 ± 273 µV, P = 0.834; 20 mA group: 1,162 ± 275 µV vs. 1,200 ± 258 µV, P = 0.148). However, obvious acute microstructural morphological changes were observed in the nerves that were stimulated with 20 mA. CONCLUSIONS: A stimulation intensity less than 15 mA might be safe for IONM of the RLN.

Downregulation of miR-199b is associated with distant metastasis in colorectal cancer via activation of SIRT1 and inhibition of CREB/KISS1 signaling.

The progression of distant metastasis cascade is a multistep and complicated process, frequently leading to a poor prognosis in cancer patients. Recently, growing evidence has indicated that deregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) contributes to tumorigenesis and tumor progression in colorectal cancer (CRC). In the present study, by comparing the miRNA expression profiles of CRC tissues and corresponding hepatic metastasis tissues, we established the downregulation of miR-199b in CRC metastasis tissues. The decrease in miR-199b expression was significantly correlated to late TNM stage and distant metastasis. Moreover, Kaplan-Meier curves showed that CRC patients with high expression level of miR-199b had a longer median survival. Functional assays results indicated that the restoration of miR-199b considerably reduced cell invasion and migration in vitro and in vivo, and increased the sensitivity to 5-FU and oxaliplatin. Further dual-luciferase reporter gene assays revealed that SIRT1 was the direct target of miR-199b in CRC. The expression of miR-199b was inversely correlated with SIRT1 in CRC specimens. SIRT1 knockdown produced effects on biological behavior that were similar to those of miR-199b overexpression. Furthermore, through Human Tumor Metastasis PCR Array we discovered KISS1 was one of the downstream targets of SIRT1. Silencing of SIRT1 upregulated KISS1 expression by enhancing the acetylation of the transcription factor CREB. The latter was further activated via binding to the promoter of KISS1 to induce transcription. Thus, we concluded that miR-199b regulates SIRT1/CREB/KISS1 signaling pathway and might serve as a prognosis marker or a novel therapeutic target for patients with CRC.

MicroRNA-217 functions as a prognosis predictor and inhibits colorectal cancer cell proliferation and invasion via an AEG-1 dependent mechanism.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have indicated the possible function of miR-217 in tumorigenesis. However, the roles of miR-217 in colorectal cancer (CRC) are still largely unknown. METHODS: We examined the expression of miR-217 and AEG-1 in 50 CRC tissues and the corresponding noncancerous tissues by qRT-PCR. The clinical significance of miR-217 was analyzed. CRC cell lines with miR-217 upregulation and AEG-1 silencing were established and the effects on tumor growth in vitro and in vivo were assessed. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assays were also performed to investigate the interaction between miR-217 and AEG-1. RESULTS: Our data demonstrated that miR-217 was significantly downregulated in 50 pairs of colorectal cancer tissues. MiR-217 expression levels were closely correlated with tumor differentiation. Moreover, decreased miR-217 expression was also associated with shorter overall survival of CRC patients. MiR-217 overexpression significantly inhibited proliferation, colony formation and invasiveness of CRC cells by promoting apoptosis and G0/G1 phase arrest. Interestingly, ectopic miR-217 expression decreased AEG-1 expression and repressed luciferase reporter activity associated with the AEG-1 3'-untranslated region (UTR). AEG-1 silencing resulted in similar biological behavior changes to those associated with miR-217 overexpression. Finally, in a nude mouse xenografted tumor model, miR-217 overexpression significantly suppressed CRC cell growth. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that miR-217 has considerable value as a prognostic marker and potential therapeutic target in CRC.

MiR-194, commonly repressed in colorectal cancer, suppresses tumor growth by regulating the MAP4K4/c-Jun/MDM2 signaling pathway.

Tumor growth cascade is a complicated and multistep process with numerous obstacles. Until recently, evidences have shown the involvement of microRNAs (miRNAs) in tumorigenesis and tumor progression of various cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study, we explored the role of miR-194 and its downstream pathway in CRC. We acquired data through miRNA microarray profiles, showing that the expression of miR-194 was significantly suppressed in CRC tissues compared with corresponding noncancerous tissues. Decreased miR-194 expression was obviously associated with tumor size and tumor differentiation, as well as TNM stage. Both Kaplan-Meier and multivariate survival analysis showed that downregulated miR-194 was associated with overall survival. Moreover, functional assays indicated that overexpression of miR-194 in CRC cell lines inhibited cell proliferation both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, using dual-luciferase reporter gene assay, we found MAP4K4 was the direct target of miR-194. Silencing of MAP4K4 resulted in similar biological behavior changes to that of overexpression of miR-194. We also observed through Human Gene Expression Array that MDM2 was one of the downstream targets of MAP4K4. Knockdown of MAP4K4 downregulated MDM2 expression through transcription factor c-Jun binding to the -1063 to -1057 bp of the promoter. These results suggest that miR-194, regulating the MAP4K4/c-Jun/MDM2 signaling pathway, might act as a tumor suppressor and serve as a novel target for CRC prevention and therapy.

[Surveillance of bacterial distribution and drug resistance in inpatients with surgical infections: a single center study].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the bacterial distribution and drug resistance in patients with surgical infections, and provide the basis for the standardization treatment of the surgical infection. METHODS: Retrospectively analyzed from January 2008 to December 2011 surgical infection in our samples bacteria identification and drug sensitivity test results. RESULTS: A total of 3829 nonduplicate isolates from 3257 samples, Gram-negative bacteria accounted for 62.4% (the main microbes were P.aeruginosa, K. pneumonia and E.coli etc) and Gram-positive bacteria accounted for 37.6% (the main microbes were Enterococcus, Staphylococcus and coagulase negative Staphylococcus). Incidence of Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis were on an obvious increase. For the performance of the high level of sensitive to Imipenem, Amikacin, Piperacillin and Tazobactam by E. coli and K. pneumonia. The Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii to cephalosporins, Carbapenems and Fluoroqinolones were higher resistant with Multidrug resistance. No vancomycin and teicoplanin resistant Enterococcus faecium were found. The prevalence of ESBL E.coli was 45.6%-61.5% and ESBL K.pneumoniae isolates were fluctuated. The methicillin-resistant S.aureus (MRSA) isolates were relatively high (21.1%-55.8%), and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis was higher than the other Gram-positive cocci. Vancomycin for Staphylococcus performance was highly sensitive. CONCLUSIONS: The main composition of surgical clinical infection pathogens are Gram-negative bacillus, and the emergency of resistance of bacteria to antibacterial drugs is a common phenomenon. The resistant rate shows ascendant trend; Drug resistance is significantly higher in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii. Antimicrobial resistance is a serious and challenging issue.

Clinical and microbiological features of community-acquired and nosocomial bloodstream infections in the surgical department of a tertiary-care hospital in Beijing.

BACKGROUND: Bloodstream infections (BSIs) remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing surgery. This study aimed at elucidating the clinical characteristics of community-acquired BSIs (CABs) and nosocomial BSIs (nBSIs) in patients admitted to the surgical wards of a teaching hospital in Beijing, China. METHODS: This cross-sectional study compared 191 episodes of BSIs in 4074 patients admitted to the surgical wards between January 2008 and December 2011. Cases of BSIs were classified as CABs or nBSIs, and the characteristics, relevant treatments, and outcomes of CABs and nBSIs were compared. RESULTS: Of the 191 BSIs, 52 (27.2%) and 139 (72.8%) were CABs and nBSIs, respectively. Escherichia coli, coagulasenegative staphylococci, and Klebsiella spp, were the most frequently isolated microorganisms. There were significant differences between CABs and nBSIs with respect to the use of hormonal drugs, ventilation, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II and American Society of Anesthesiologists scores, and prevalence of cancer (P < 0.05). Empirical antibacterial therapy did not decrease the crude mortality, but multivariate analysis showed that high APACHE II was independently associated with a risk of mortality (odds ratio = 0.97, 95% confidence interval: 0.93-1.02 for APACHE II). CONCLUSIONS: We found significant differences in the clinical characteristics of surgical patients with CABs and nBSIs. The outcome of patients seems to be related to high APACHE II scores.

[Short-term efficacy comparison of complete mesocolic excision and traditional colon cancer resection].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the short-term efficacy of complete mesocolic excision (CME). METHODS: Clinical data of 62 cases of colon cancer (I-III phase) with radical resection including CME surgery group of 31 cases and traditional surgery group of 31 cases from January 2011 to October 2011 in Peking University People's Hospital were retrospective analyzed. RESULTS: The number of removed lymph node in CME and traditional resection group was 22.5±1.8 and 17.6±1.3 respectively (P<0.05) and the positive rate of lymph node in mesentery root was 9.7% (3/31) in CME surgery group. Operative blood loss was (123.5±17.6) ml and (143.5±15.3) ml in CME and traditional resection group without significant difference (P>0.05). Except for more abdominal drainage volume of 3 days post-operation in CME group (P<0.05), the postoperative recovery indicators of postoperative drainage tube removed time, exhaust time, eating time, and the socioeconomic effects indicators of postoperative hospitalization, hospitalization costs were not significantly different between two groups (all P>0.05). Postoperative intestinal obstruction occurred in 3 cases and 4 cases, lymph fistula in 2 cases and 0 case, wound dehiscence in 1 case and 1 case in CME group and traditional resection group respectively. Postoperative complication rate was not significantly different (19.4% vs. 16.1%, P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Compared with traditional radical surgery, CME sweeps lymph nodes more thoroughly, including lymph nodes of mesocolic roots, and does not affect postoperative recovery and increase the risk of postoperative complications.

[Feasibility of complete mesocolic excision in elderly patients with colon cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the short-term outcomes and safety of complete mesocolic excision (CME) in elderly patients with colon cancer. METHODS: The clinical pathological factors of 71 patients with colon cancer undergoing CME procedure by the same group of surgeons were analyzed retrospectively from November 2009 to February 2012. The elderly group(≥70 years) and the non-elderly group(<70 years) were compared regarding short-term outcomes and safety. RESULTS: Similar extent of resection could be achieved in the elderly and non-elderly groups in terms of area of mesentery[(13 049±4332) vs. (13 163±4725) mm2, P=0.916], distance between the tumor and the high ligation site[(95±22) vs. (98±20) mm, P=0.516], distance between normal bowel and high ligation site [(130±25) vs. (128±25) mm, P=0.731], the length of colon [(262±60) vs. (245±49) mm, P=0.212], and lymph nodes retrieved(22.0±6.4 vs. 24.8±9.9, P=0.168). The mean operative time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative complications, time to first flatus, time to first bowel movement, drainage removal time, diet resumption, drainage volume in three days after surgery, and hospital deaths showed no statistical significances(all P>0.05), while hospital stay and expenses of the elderly group were significantly increased(both P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Elderly patients undergoing elective CME operation can achieve similar operative extent and lymph nodes harvest, and the surgical risk is not increased.

[Strategies in diagnosis and management for advanced or metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor].

With deeper understanding of gastrointestinal stromal tumor(GIST), more and more patients are diagnosed as GIST. Although the prognosis of early GIST is satisfactory after complete surgical resection, there are still many problems in the treatment of advanced GIST. Variety of treatment options has been used in the treatment of GIST, such as surgery, targeted drug therapy, and surgery plus imatinib therapy. However, post-operative recurrence, imatinib-resistance, multi-targeted drug resistance are still challenges. Many clinical evidences show that a reasonable management strategy can improve the prognosis of patients with advanced GIST. All the doctors should have a clear mind to carry out appropriate interventions. Advanced GIST should not be simply considered to be either medical or surgical disease, but rather must be systematically managed by multidisciplinary team approach combining surgical oncology, medical oncology, pathology, and interventional medicine. This review will advocate suitable treatment strategies based on the most recent progresses in systemic treatment for advanced GIST and our clinical experience to achieve early detection, early prevention, proper management, and therefore improve the survival of these patients.

[Prevention strategy of post-operative complications in elderly patients with colorectal cancer based on scoring systems].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the risk factors and prevention strategies of post-operative complications in elderly patients with colorectal cancer. METHODS: Data of 107 elderly patients (≥75 years) undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer were collected from January 2006 to December 2009 in the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital. POSSUM and E-POSSUM scoring systems were used to predict post-operative complications. ROC curve and observe/expect(O/E) were used to assess the validity of scoring systems. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the independent risk factors associated with post-operative complications of elderly patients with colorectal cancer. RESULTS: The predictive complication rates of E-POSSUM and POSSUM in elderly patients with colorectal cancer were 13.9%-86.6%(average, 32.7%) and 19.1%-99.1% (average, 55.5%). The predictive validity of E-POSSUM was better than POSSUM(AUC of ROC: 0.862 vs. 0.576, O/E: 0.771 vs. 0.454), the former was closer to the actual complication rate(25.2%, 27/107). Concurrent diabetes mellitus(P=0.019) and rectal lesion(P=0.005) were independent risk factors associated with surgery-related post-operative complications. Anastomotic leakage was the most common surgery-related post-operative complications. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(P=0.026), ASA score(P=0.025), intestinal obstruction(P=0.037) and perforation(P=0.001) were independent risk factors associated with non-surgery-related post-operative complications. Pulmonary infection was the most common non-surgery-related post-operative complication. CONCLUSIONS: The application of E-POSSUM scoring system can provide more accurate prediction of post-operative complications in elderly patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer. Positive interventions should be taken for high-risk patients to prevent post-operative complications.

[Complete mesocolic excision versus traditional radical resection in colon cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the short-term efficacy and safety between complete mesocolic excision (CME) and traditional radical resection in colon cancer. METHODS: Between January 2008 and August 2011, 92 patients undergoing elective open surgery for colon were included in the study. CME was performed in 54 patients in the period from November 2009 to August 2011. The other 38 patients underwent traditional radical resection from January 2008 to October 2009. Short-term outcomes were compared between the patients of two different time periods. RESULTS: Lymph nodes retrieved in the CME group (22.2 ± 8.0) were significant more than that in the control group (18.6 ± 4.7)(P<0.05). In patients with stage III cancer, CME group was associated with higher lymph node counts (23.8 ± 7.6 vs. 16.7 ± 3.6, P<0.01), however, there were no significant differences for those with stage I and stage II cancer (P>0.05). The number of positive lymph nodes and metastatic lymph node ratio (LNR) for stage III patients in two groups were not significantly different (P>0.05). There were no differences in operation time, time to first bowel movement, hospital stay, and postoperative complications between the two groups (P>0.05). However, intraoperative blood loss in the CME group was significantly reduced (median, 100 vs. 115 ml, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: CME can achieve en-bloc resection of the tumor and mesocolon, and have optimal lymph nodes harvest. Despite wider resection extent with CME technique, the surgical risk and postoperative complications are not increased and the short-term efficacy is good.

[Learning curve of complete mesocolic excision for colon cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the learning curve of complete mesocolic excision(CME) for colon cancer. METHODS: Clinical data of 75 cases in whom CME was performed by a group of surgeons in the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital from November 2009 to June 2011 were reviewed. The patients were divided into three groups(groups A, B, C, 25 cases in each group) by operative chronologic sequence. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in age, sex, preoperative staging, cancer location, operation history of abdomen, ASA among the three groups(P>0.05). The operative time in group A was (205.4 ± 53.2) min and decreased to (180.4 ± 29.7) min in group B and (169.8 ± 41.3) min in group C (P<0.05). The postoperative hospital stay decreased from (17.8 ± 10.9) d in group A to(12.9 ± 4.1) d in group B and(11.0 ± 3.5) d in group C(P<0.05). The postoperative complication rate decreased from 32%(8/25) in group A and 36%(9/25) to 8%(2/25) in group C. The specimen quality was superior in group C compared to group A (WEST grade C above were 20 and 11 respectively, P<0.05). There were no significant differences in intraoperative bleeding, time to first flatus, postoperative fasting time, number of retrieved lymph nodes among the three groups(P>0.05). CONCLUSION: From the learning curve of CME, surgeons can learn CME skill after performing 25 cases.

Diagnosis and multi-disciplinary management of hepatic metastases from gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST).

AIM: To explore the present application of diagnosis and management of hepatic metastases from GIST. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of the literature for studies concerning hepatic metastases from GIST. A literature search was performed using the Medline/PubMed databases to identify publications relevant to the review published from January 1998 to December 2008. Totally 113 relevant articles were retrieved. Abstracts from recent ASCO symposia were hand searched for relevant articles. After the primary filtration, articles on review and with repetitive content were excluded. The articles on clinical research, which were issued in authorized journals, were selected. At last, totally 69 articles were included for review. FINDINGS: The rate of liver metastases was reported as 15.9% in primary GISTs. The recurrence rate following surgical resection for hepatic metastases from GIST had been reported as 70-77%. For metastatic GIST patients with tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment, it demonstrated rates of CR, PR and SD respectively of 5.84%, 50.7%, and 32.4%. Combining repeated surgery with TKI treatment, R0/R1 resection rates range in various series between 48 and 82%. For those patients with unresectable disease confined to the liver or unable to tolerate liver resection due to co-morbidity or advanced age, RFA, HACE, TKI therapy, or even liver transplantation, can also improve survival. CONCLUSIONS: The liver is a common metastatic site for gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST). Appropriate initial evaluation remains paramount for selecting the correct management strategy. Multi-disciplinary management (which includes pathology, medical oncology, surgical oncology, and imaging expertise) of this disease is important for both curative and palliative treatment in these patients. Combining repeated surgery with TKI treatment may be the most effective management for GIST patients with liver metastases.