Bleeding esophageal GIST

Large esophageal gastrointestinal stromal tumors resected thoracoscopically after oral imatinib therapy: a report of two cases

Esophageal gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are very rare, accounting for 2–5% of all GISTs. As with other GISTs, the principle of surgical treatment is complete resection with negative margins. In addition to biological grades of GISTs itselves, local recurrence due to capsular damage is a known risk. We describe two cases of massive esophageal GISTs that were successfully resected thoracoscopically after 2 months administration of 400 mg imatinib, with some discussion of the literature. Case 1, the patient was a 51-years-old man. After treated with 400 mg of imatinib as preoperative chemotherapy for 2 months, we performed surgery that included right thoracoscopic subtotal esophagectomy, gastric tube reconstruction, and jejunostomy. The resection specimen and histopathology were esophageal GIST-LtMtAeG, 110 × 95 mm. The postoperative course was uneventful, and was discharged on postoperative day 14. The patient has been recurrence free for 11 months postoperatively. Case 2, the patient was a 70-years-old man. After treated with 400 mg of imatinib as preoperative chemotherapy for 2 months, we performed surgery that included right thoracoscopic subtotal esophagectomy, gastric tube reconstruction, and jejunostomy. The resection specimen and histopathology were esophageal GIST-LtAeG, 90 × 52 mm. The postoperative course was uneventful, and was discharged on postoperative day 14. The patient has been recurrence free for 9 months postoperatively.

Hemothorax due to a ruptured esophageal gastrointestinal stromal tumor: case report

Background

Esophageal gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare tumors of the gastrointestinal interstitium, and comprise less than 0.7% of all GISTs. The presentation of esophageal GIST is relatively benign, commonly characterized by symptoms of dysphagia and gastrointestinal bleed. On the contrary, it is highly unusual for these tumors to present as surgical emergencies.

Case presentation

Here, we describe a case of hemothorax secondary to the rupture of a massive (19 cm) esophageal GIST in a 79-year-old male. The patient presented with mild back pain, vomiting, and hypotension. A CT scan revealed significant mediastinal enlargement and left hemothorax. We conducted an emergency thoracotomy which revealed a 19 × 15 × 7 cm ruptured esophageal tumor that was bleeding profusely into the left thoracic cavity. Piecemeal resection without esophagectomy was performed to achieve hemostasis. Pathological evaluation of resected tissue confirmed the diagnosis of GIST. The patient was provided adjuvant imatinib therapy and remains progression-free at the 10-month follow-up.

Conclusions

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of life-threatening hemothorax caused by a ruptured esophageal GIST. Findings from this case may aid in the diagnosis and management of these rare tumors.

Clinicopathologic Features and Clinical Outcomes of Esophageal Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor: Evaluation of a Pooled Case Series

Clinicopathologic features and clinical outcomes of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) in esophagus are limited, because of the relatively rare incidence of esophageal GISTs. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to investigate the clinicopathologic features and clinical outcomes of esophageal GISTs, and to investigate the potential factors that may predict prognosis.Esophageal GIST cases were obtained from our center and from case reports and clinical studies extracted from MEDLINE. Clinicopathologic features and survivals were analyzed and compared with gastric GISTs from our center.The most common location was lower esophagus (86.84%), followed by middle and upper esophagus (11.40% and 1.76%). The majority of esophageal GISTs were classified as high-risk category (70.83%). Mitotic index was correlated with histologic type, mutational status, and tumor size. The 5-year disease-free survival and disease-specific survival were 65.1% and 65.9%, respectively. Tumor size, mitotic index, and National Institutes of Health risk classification were associated with prognosis of esophageal GISTs. Only tumor size, however, was the independent risk factor for the prognosis of esophageal GISTs. In comparison to gastric GISTs, the distribution of tumor size, histologic type, and National Institutes of Health risk classification were significantly different between esophageal GISTs and gastric GISTs. The disease-free survival and disease-specific survival of esophageal GISTs were significantly lower than that of gastric GISTs.The most common location for esophageal GISTs was lower esophagus, and most of the esophageal GISTs are high-risk category. Tumor size was the independent risk factor for the prognosis of esophageal GISTs. Esophageal GISTs differ significantly from gastric GISTs in respect to clinicopathologic features. The prognosis of esophageal GISTs was worse than that of gastric GISTs.

Esophageal gastrointestinal stromal tumors presenting as mediastinal mass

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract and are predominant in the stomach and intestine but rare in the esophagus. Here, we report a case of esophageal GIST which presented as a mediastinal mass on chest X-ray and dyspnea. The case was initially diagnosed as leiomyosarcoma, which could create a diagnostic dilemma. Therefore, recognizing this uncommon presentation as a mediastinal mass with esophageal GIST is important in the differential diagnosis.

Surgical considerations for the management and resection of esophageal gastrointestinal stromal tumors

BACKGROUND

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common sarcoma of the gastrointestinal tract, but occur rarely in the esophagus. Use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors has revolutionized therapy for GISTs but complete resection remains the treatment of choice. Esophageal GISTs require special consideration regarding perioperative treatment, evaluation, and conduct of operation.

METHODS

We report our experience (from 2000 to 2003) with four patients who underwent resection of esophageal GIST, reviewed consensus management guidelines, and performed a literature review for reported cases. Query of the National Cancer Database was made to assess national experience with esophageal GISTs.

RESULTS

All four patients had esophageal GISTs successfully differentiated from leiomyomata by immunohistochemistry on fine needle aspirates obtained during endoscopic ultrasound. At the time of resection all tumors were noted to be adherent to tissues other than submucosa that required resection of esophageal muscularis, periesophageal tissue, or mucosa. All patients were thought to have complete resection and were alive at last contact (median, 33 months). Two of four patients recurred, one of whom underwent esophagectomy; the other patient is alive on imatinib. Seven case reports with median follow-up of three years reported no recurrence with either enucleation or esophagectomy. The National Cancer Database contains 33 cases of esophageal GIST reported since 1999. Nine of 24 patients died within six months of diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Esophagectomy is the treatment of choice for esophageal GISTs but requires attention to operative details that emphasize complete en bloc excision of surrounding tissue. Preoperative imatinib may improve resectability.