The neo-adjuvant treatment in gastrointestinal stromal tumor

V. Catania, A. Consoli, A. Cavallaro, R.L.E. Liardo*, M. Malaguarnera*

Department of Surgical Sciences, Advanced Tecnology and Organ Transplant, Policlinico, and *Department of Senescence, Urological and Neurological Sciences, Cannizzaro Hospital, University of Catania, Catania (Italy)

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• Gastroenterology

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST) is a rare intra-abdominal tumor, characterized by a specific histological and immunohistochemical pattern. These tumors affect with higher frequency stomach and small bowel and occur at a median age of 60 years with a slight male predominance. An early stage of GIST often don’t cause any symptoms, so most GISTs are diagnosed in later stages of the disease. We report a case of GIST diagnosed only with clinical data and positron emission tomography (PET). We demonstrate the usefulness of neo-adjuvant treatment with Imatinib mesylate, a newly developed tyrosine kinase receptor inhibitor. The neoadjuvant treatment with Imatinib reduced the mass size and vascularization, making possible a surgical approach.

Corresponding Author: Vito Catania, MD; e-mail: vito.catania@policlinico.unict.it

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