Malignant Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor of Rectum: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Abstract

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare tumors of the gastrointestinal tract accounting for less than 1% of all gut tumors. GISTs occurring in the rectum are extremely rare and these usually present at an advanced stage compared with other sites.

We report a case of a middle-aged female who presented with features of anemia and subacute obstruction due to a large rectal tumor and underwent abdominoperineal resection. The histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of high-grade malignant GIST with multiple lymph nodal metastasis. She was started on adjuvant imatinib therapy and is on follow-up without any evidence of recurrence.

The authors conclude that GIST must be included in the differential diagnosis of a rectal tumor. Diagnosis is established by biopsy and immunohistochemistry studies. Surgical resection with histological negative margins is the standard curative treatment. Adjuvant targeted therapy can reduce long-term recurrence in high-risk cases.

Keywords

gastrointestinal stromal tumor - rectum - laparoscopic resection - immunohistochemistry - high risk - imatinib

Publication History

Received: 27 November 2020

Accepted: 22 December 2021

Article published online:
16 February 2022

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