Gastrointestinal stromal tumors

We reviewed radiologic features of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) and correlated them with clinical and pathologic findings.

We investigated a series of 39 c-Kit-positive GISTs. Clinical and radiologic findings and management of these patients were recorded.

Twenty women and 19 men (mean age 64 years) had histologically proved GIST. Tumor locations were the small bowel (n = 20), stomach (n = 14), rectum (n = 4), and omentum (n = l). Symptoms at presentation were most frequently gastrointestinal bleeding (n = 14) and abdominal pain (n = l1). Tumors were classified as very low risk (n = 2), low risk (n = 10), intermediate risk (n = 12), and high risk (n = 11). Ultrasonography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance, digital subtraction angiography, and barium series were used in the evaluation of these tumors. Most tumors were seen as well-delineated soft tissue masses with heterogeneous contrast enhancement. Necrosis, calcification, and ulceration were most commonly seen in large tumors that presented a more aggressive behavior.

GISTs can arise anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract and present a great variety of clinical and radiologic features, depending mostly on size and location.