Gastro-intestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) - the Pretoria experience and a literature review
AIM: To analyse the presentation and management of patients with gastro-intestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) at Pretoria hospitals. DESIGN: A retrospective study was done in which all available clinical records of primary c-KIT positive GISTs were analysed. SETTING: Secondary and tertiary care institutions in Pretoria, including both private and public hospitals. SUBJECTS: The population studied included all individuals treated at Pretoria hospitals from 17 July 2000 to 1 April 2009 who had a GIST confirmed with immunohistochemical c-KIT staining. Patients with incomplete or inaccessible clinical records were excluded. OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient demographics including gender, age and race; presenting symptoms and signs; results of special investigations; and treatment. RESULTS: Fifty-four cases were identified for inclusion in the study. The age of the subjects ranged from 15 to 83 years. The male-to-female ratio was 1.5:1. The organ most commonly affected was the stomach, and abdominal pain and weight loss were the most common presenting symptoms. Seventy-six per cent of the patients were treated surgically, and 24% received imatinib. CONCLUSION: GISTs often present late with nonspecific symptoms, and are frequently discovered incidentally. Large tumours tend to be malignant.
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Digital revista |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Association of Surgeons of South Africa
2011
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| Online Access: | http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0038-23612011000300005 |
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