Tumores estromales gastrointestinales en el Hospital Universitario del Caribe, Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, 2009-2011. Serie de casos

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are uncommon. They are neoplasms of interstitial cells of Cajal, mainly due to receptor mutations CD117 (c-Kit), with their diagnosis being confirmed by immunohistochemical methods, and for which there are specific inhibitors (imatinib, sunitinib). We describe the clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of 6 cases (1 esophageal, two gastric, one duodenal, one jejunal and one colon), of which 4 were women, with an age range between 38 and 78 years (mean: 52). The signs and symptoms of each case are presented (anemic syndrome, abdominal pain and mass, etc.), as well as the operating characteristics of the imaging and endoscopic tests, and the histopathology. Minimally invasive resection was performed in 2 patients, 1 synchronous with colorectal adenocarcinoma and 2 cases of recurrence. The findings are consistent with the literature. There are controversies in prognosis, and medical expertise is limited by the low frequency, therefore, more evidence is needed about this disease.