Gastrointestinal stromal tumours: a review of cases seen at a university hospital over an eight year period

Abstract

Gastrointestinal stroma tumours are uncommon mesenchymal tumours affecting the gastrointestinal tract. We report four cases of GIST involving the stomach seen at the Lagos state university teaching hospital, (LASUTH), Lagos, Nigeria between 2004 and 2012. Their ages ranged from 59 to 65yrs with three females and one male. All had successful excision surgery except the 4th case who declined surgery but has responded favourably to Imantinib. There was melting away of the tumour with significant weight gain. One patient had further immunohistochemical confirmation, drug treatment with imantinib and surgery overseas. This report highlights the diagnostic challenges resulting from lack of facilities for proper immunohistochemistry locally and calls for regional mapping and collaboration with few centers performing this diagnostic procedure. Only one case treated locally had drug treatment with imantinib. Others underwent conventional chemotherapy following surgery.

Keywords: GIST.