Rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumour: What do we know in 2017? A systematic review protocol

Gastrointestinal stromal tumour is a pathology that originates from the interstitial cells of Cajal and differentiates from other mesenchymal neoplasm by expression of CD117 oncogene on Immunohistochemistry test. Colon and Rectal GISTs constitutes of approximately 5% of all gastrointestinal GISTs. The past decade has witnessed a dramatic change in the treatment of rectal cancer. Preoperative, perioperative and postoperative, management has changed thanks to new chemotherapy regimens and emergence of novel surgical techniques. Our aim is to investigate if same change can be implemented for rectal GISTs management.

This protocol is compliant with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) guidelines. Exclusion and inclusion criteria are outlined within this protocol. Points of interest and objectives are described within this protocol. The search strategy, aims to identify all articles on "Rectal GISTs".

The choice of resection type surgery depends upon the location and size of rectal GIST. Neoadjuvant Imatinib therapy yields tumour shrinkage in at least 50% and is associated with a prolonged disease-free survival for intermediate and high-risk patients. This review will also allow a summary clinicopathological features and prognostic factors of rectal GISTs.

The Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York acknowledged that this systematic review is within the register scope. This review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and will be presented at various national and international conferences.