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Updated: Aug 20, 2026
Molecular and Immunologic Techniques in a Genetically Engineered Mouse Model of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor
Published on: May 2, 2022
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors: clinical and pathological analysis of 24 cases
Sergio Zepeda-Gomez1, Juan F Nuncio, Héctor Maldonado
1Department of Gastroenterology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico.
Background:
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are mesenchymal neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract. They are positive for the expression of c-Kit protein at immunohistochemistry and their clinical presentation is variable. We conducted a study to identify true GISTs with known pathological and immunohistochemical criteria from other tumors of the gastrointestinal tract.
Methods:
The clinical records of patients with the diagnosis of schwannoma, leiomyoma, leiomyosarcoma and tumor of uncertain biological behavior of the gastrointestinal tract were identified and the slides of paraffin obtained for review by two experienced pathologists in the diagnosis of GISTs. The clinical presentation, treatment and outcomes were analyzed.
Results:
Twenty four GISTs (11 low-risk and 13 high-risk) were identified from 76 cases reviewed. All the confirmed GISTs were positive at immunohistochemistry for c-Kit expression. The two predominant location of the tumors were the stomach and small intestine. The outcome was good for benign and completely resected tumors.
Conclusions:
True GISTs can be recognized from other tumors by histological analysis. Immunohistochemistry to identify c-Kit protein expression is useful to confirm the diagnosis. Physicians must consider GISTs in patients with a lesion of the gastrointestinal tract resembling a smooth muscle tumor or/and in association with chronic or acute bleeding.