Extra-gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor: Report of Two Cases

Abstract

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) usually originate from the gastrointestinal wall. GISTs not originating from the gastrointestinal tract, named extragastrointestinal stromal tumors (EGIST) are very rare. This study aims to find the characteristics of EGIST by reviewing the literature. In the past 6 years, we have treated 2 patients with EGIST. One was a 49-year-old man and the other, a 72-yearoldwoman. Both of them presented with a large palpable abdominal mass. One patient underwent a pancreaticoduodenectomy because the tumor was located near the duodenum; the other received resection of the tumor without the need for resection of the gastrointestinal tract. We searched on PubMed and reviewed 119published cases of EGIST, including the two patients treated by us, in the related English literature from 1953 to March 2007. Both of our patients survived postoperatively and are still living well, of one survival already exceeding 5 years. Based on the reviewed studies, the incidence of EGIST is slightly higher in women. Owing to a leak of symptoms in the beginning period, the EGIST can reach a relatively large size. Curative resection is at present the main option for EGIST.