A case of a rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumor with lymph node metastasis

Abstract

We report a rare case of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) of the rectum with lymph node metastasis and review the relevant literature.
A 57-year-old man developed constipation. An ulcerative tumor was found in the rectum. On histology of the biopsy specimen, a stromal tumor was diagnosed. A laparoscopy-assisted abdomino-perineal resection was performed. The resected specimen's tumor cells were immunohistochemically positive for CD34 and c-kit ; one of the dissected lymph nodes had metastasis. Twenty-five months later, multiple liver metastases and lung metastases were noted. Imatinib mesylate was given, but the patient's general condition gradually deteriorated. The patient died 29 months after surgery.