Double gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) of the stomach

BMJ Case Rep. 2009:2009:bcr07.2008.0468. doi: 10.1136/bcr.07.2008.0468. Epub 2009 Feb 16.

Abstract

Gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST), within its definition, is a gastrointestinal (GI) mesenchymal tumour containing spindle cells and showing CD 117 immunopositivity. The incidence of GISTs is estimated at 10-20/million. GISTs occur typically in people over 50 years of age. Over 95% of primary GISTs are solitary. Rarely, GISTs are multifocal and occur in young adults and children. A case of a 60-year-old women with double GIST of the stomach is reported here. The patient approached her general practitioner because of stomach ache, chronic diarrhoea and weight loss. Ultrasonography showed an abdominal tumour. During gastroscopy a submucosal tumour in the antral part of the stomach was found. Computed tomography revealed a pathological lesion between the stomach and the liver and an intramural tumour of the stomach. Two stomach tumours were found, and a Bilroth I gastrectomy was performed. Histopathological examination showed GIST in both tumours. This case shows that multifocal GISTs of the stomach can arise in older patients.