Introduction:

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) account for up to 2% of gastrointestinal neoplasms. They may appear anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract and are most frequently found in the stomach (60%). The diagnosis is made based on the expression of the tyrosine-protein kinase KIT CD117, which differentiates it from other mesenchymal tumors such as leiomyomas, leiomyosarcomas, leiomyoblastomas, and neurogenic tumors, that do not express this protein.

Objective:

To characterize the clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, recurrence, and survival of GISTs in the stomach.

Materials and methods:

This is an observational retrospective study based on a case series. Data was collected after reviewing the medical records of patients diagnosed with GIST at a cancer center in Bogotá between January 2005 and December 2015. The data included type of treatment and surgical approach, location, size, mitotic index, and risk classification.

Results:

There were 31 patients diagnosed with GIST. Their mean age was 62.3 years, with a median of 61 years. Of the 31 patients, 18 were women and 13 were men. Follow-up time ranged from a minimum of 2.4 months to a maximum of 214 months. The median follow-up time was 36 months.

Conclusions:

GISTs are potentially malignant tumors, with gastric location being the most frequent. Diagnosis and treatment depend on their size and location in the stomach. Treatment options vary, ranging from surgical resection, where minimally invasive procedures along with endoscopy are a suitable alternative to open surgery, to the need for systemic therapy.

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