Therapeutic procedures for submucosal tumors in the gastrointestinal tract

This review is part three of three and will present an update on the therapeutic options and procedures concerning gastrointestinal (GI) submucosal tumors (SMTs). The aim of this paper is to investigate the treatments of GI SMTs and to present a case of a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). Literature searches were performed to find information on therapy for GI SMTs. Based on these searches, the optimal therapeutic procedures could be outlined. The choice of treatment of localized tumors is endoscopic resection if possible or, alternatively, laparoscopic resection or surgical resection by an open procedure. However, benign SMTs should only be excised if symptoms are present, and GISTs should be treated with particular precautions. Irresectable or recurrent GISTs may be successfully treated with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, imatinib.