Abstract
We report a case of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) of the stomach with extensive peritoneal dissemination for which postoperative administration of STI571 was highly effective.
A 57-year-old man was diagnosed as having a gastric submucosal tumor by upper gastrointestinal series at a medical checkup in August 2000. He was referred to the hospital in January 2002 for further work-up and treatment for the enlarging tumor. On physical examination, a hard tumor was palpable in the upper abdomen. Endoscopy demonstrated a giant submucosal tumor with a central ulcer in the lower posterior wall of the body of the stomach. Biopsy of the lesion was positive for c-kit, and immunohistochemical staining suggested GIST. Abdominal CT scan showed an outgrowing cystic tumor in the body of the stomach. Furthermore, extensive peritoneal dissemination was suspected. He underwent laparotomy and distal gastrectomy. Histopathology of the excised specimen confirmed the diagnosis of gastric GIST with extensive peritoneal dissemination. Postoperative chemotherapy with oral STI571 (400mg/day) was started. As of 36 months postoperatively, the patient remains free from disease.
