A case of giant rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumor (gist) made resectable by taking imatinib mesylate

Abstract

We report herein a case of resectable rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). The patient was a 78-year-old female suffering from hematochezia.
Colonoscopy revealed a giant rectal tumor in the lower rectum with central ulceration and bleeding. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) showed that the tumor occupied the lesser pelvic cavity. She was referred to our hospital, upon which endoscopic coagulation therapy was prescribed. Based on the biopsies specimen, the tumor was diagnosed as a rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumor. Colostomy was subsequently performed and imatinib mesylate therapy started as the tumor was unresectable.
After 23 months of imatinib mesylate therapy, the patient was readmitted to our hospital due to relapse of hematochezia. Tumor size had reduced and she was able to undergo radical tumor resection.
The present findings suggest that imatinib mesylate therapy may allow radical tumor resection in cases of unresectable GIST.