Semin Liver Dis 2019; 39(03): 395-402
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1685517
Review Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Treatment Options for Metastatic Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors to the Liver: A Review

Heather A. Lillemoe
1  Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
,
Kristoffer W. Brudvik
2  Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
,
Jean-Nicolas Vauthey
1  Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
› Author Affiliations Funding Dr Heather Lillemoe is supported by the National Institutes of Health (T32 CA009599) and the MD Anderson Cancer Center support grant (P30 CA016672).
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Publication History

Publication Date:
17 May 2019 (online)

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Abstract

Up to half of patients with a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) will present with metastatic disease, most commonly involving the liver. Prior to the introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors, treatment options were limited for patients with metastatic GIST to the liver resulting in dismal survival rates. However, with the advent of effective systemic chemotherapy and continued advancements in both surgical and local adjunctive therapy options, significant improvements in survival have been achieved. In this review, the authors characterize the evolution of the treatment approach for metastatic GIST to the liver, including the roles of both surgical resection and adjunctive therapies in today's practice.

Keywords

stromal tumors - GIST - metastatic