Current research status and progress of primary esophageal gastrointestinal stromal tumors in China

Abstract

Primary esophageal gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) is a rare independent disease with clinicopathological and molecular features different from other mesenchymal tumors. Authors searched and reviewed associated reports and summarized the morbidity trends, characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of esophageal GIST in China. Data show that the incidence and detection rate of esophageal GIST presents the rising trend. Imaging has some characteristics. Ultrasonography and CT are main methods and effective examinations to detect and prompt diagnosis of esophageal GIST. Pathology and immunohistochemistry are the evidence for a definite diagnosis. Risk classification is the important basis for selecting surgical methods and predicting prognosis. Surgery is the mainstay treatment. Very low and low risk patients with tumors less than 3 cm can choose endoscopic resection. For tumors of 3 to 5 cm, tumor resection must be considered. Thoracoscopy appears to be the first choice for surgery. Medium and high risk patients with tumors >5 cm should be treated with partial resection of esophagus. Surgery combined with targeted therapy and neoadjuvant therapy is the main treatment pattern and research direction.