Gastric smooth muscle tumors: diagnostic dilemmas and factors affecting outcome

We reviewed the 46 gastric stromal tumors that were treated at our institution between 1958 and 1992. The most common presenting symptoms were gastrointestinal bleeding, pain, and fatigue or malaise. The tumors ranged from 4 to 150 mm, with surgery most often being a wedge excision or partial gastrectomy. Abdominal computed tomography was the most specific diagnostic test obtained preoperatively. Factors associated with decreased survival included size >/= 8 cm (p = 0.02), more than 0-3 mitoses per 10 HPF (p < 0. 001), positive margins or unresectability (p = 0.008), and tumor pathologic grade II or more (p = 0.004). These tumors have an unpredictable behavior. Surgical resection with negative margins remains the best therapy, but resection for palliation is sometimes indicated as it can be associated with prolonged survival.