[Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST): a rare case of severe gastric haemorrhage]

Abstract

Introduction: A rare case of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) provoking a severe gastric bleeding is reported. Case report and results. The Authors report on the case of a 53-year-old male patient who presented with hematemesis, melena and severe acute anemia (Hb: 6 g/dl). EGDS disclosed a protruding lesion centrally ulcerated, of 7 cm in size, localized in the upper half of gastric corpus. Multiple endoscopic biopsies were negative for neoplastic changes. Because of further gastric bleeding, a total gastrectomy with "Roux-en-Y" reconstruction was performed in urgency GIST of smooth muscle was diagnosed by histological and immunohistochemical postoperative examination.

Discussion: Gist are neoplasms arising from connective tissue elements of gastrointestinal wall, which represent about 2% of GI-tract malignant tumor. Tumor size of 5 cm or greater, elevated mitotic count, lack of histological differentiation are significantly associated with a shorter recurrence-free survival. GIST-s are rarely cause of an inarrestable gastric bleeding. For gastroenterological surgeons it is critical to select the most suitable surgical procedure. In our case, 9 months after gastrectomy the patient is well, in spite the severe clinical background and the malignancy degree.

Conclusion: The GIST-s have to be taken into account in the differential diagnosis of GI-tract tumors if endoscopic biopsies are negative for malignancy. In our opinion, total or partial gastrectomy fro gastric should be preferred. Moreover, a close follow up is recommended.