[Surgical treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors: personal cases]

Surgical management of gastrointestinal stromal tumors: our experience. Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are rare neoplasm even if they are the most common mesenchimal malignancies of the gastrointestinal tract. GIST have long been a source of confusion and controversy, in particular to define their pathological classification, preoperative diagnosis, management strategies, and prognosis. A radical resection of the tumor is often possible and always recommended. Recent studies have identified its principal pathogenic defect. An effective adjuvant therapy treatment (STI571) have been found for advanced and metastatic GIST.