[Surgical management of GIST in the era of Gleevec]

The diagnostic and treatment options for patients with GIST have evolved rapidly with the discovery of uncontrolled KIT tyrosine kinase and Gleevec that selectively inhibits Kit. Gleevec has already revolutionized the treatment of patients with metastatic disease and is also currently being tested as an adjuvant therapy after the resection of primary GIST. But the majority of responses are limited to partial responses and secondary resistances are emerging. These observations suggest that initial surgical resection remains a vital component of the treatment for patients with primary resectable cKIT+ GISTs and raises the question of secondary surgery after Gleevec. The objective of secondary surgery is to obtain a complete remission when the response to Gleevec is maximum. Surgery should be discussed between 6 and 12 months treatment when no additional improvement is observed on 2 consecutive CT scan. Three subgroups may benefit from secondary surgery: primary unresectable tumors amenable to surgery with Gleevec even in case of complete response, huge necrotic masses before expected complication, local re-progressions. Gleevec should also be discussed when a functionnal benefit can be expected by a tumor size decrease. Surgery is being evaluated in the other responding patients. The majority of responses being limited to partial responses, best indications of surgery are when complete resection may be expected (< 10%).