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. 2023 Nov 6;16(1):318.
doi: 10.1186/s13104-023-06593-8.

A gist on an obscure neoplasm in Ghana: gastrointestinal stromal tumours

Joseph Yorke  1 , Samuel Gyasi Brenu  2 , Ronald Awoonor-Williams  3 , Stephen Tabiri  4 , Anwar Sadat Seidu  5 , Francis Akwaw Yamoah  2 , Joseph Akpaloo  1 , Edmund Muonir Der  6 , Ernest Adjei  7 , Isaac Okyere  1 , Kenneth Kelechi Ihekanandu  2 , Ernest Bawuah Osei Bonsu  8 , Ishmael Kyei  1 , Samuel Mensah  1 , Michael Ofoe Adinku  1 , Dennis Afful Yorke  2 , Akwasi Opoku Agyapong  2 , Francis Somiah-Kwaw Aitpillah  1 , Martin Kofi Agyei  9 , Nana Akosua Oppong-Nkrumah  2 , Kwasi Dadzie Annan  2 , Theodora-Ann Fremponma Ellis  10 , Patrick Danso  2 , Tonnies Abeku Buckman  11 , Emmanuel Acheampong  12
Affiliations

A gist on an obscure neoplasm in Ghana: gastrointestinal stromal tumours

Joseph Yorke et al. BMC Res Notes. .

Abstract

Background: Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumour is a rare but potentially curable tumour of the gastrointestinal tract accounting for up to 1% of all gastrointestinal tumours. The discovery of Imatinib mesylate, a novel tyrosine kinase inhibitor has improved the chances even for unresectable, recurrent, or metastatic diseases.

Methods: This study sought to document the clinical and pathological characteristics of GISTs from two tertiary hospitals in Ghana that have undergone immunohistochemistry confirmation between 2014 and 2021.

Results: The median age of the subjects was 50 years with most of them (28.0%) being above 61 years. There were more females than males (64.0% vs. 36.0%). Abdominal mass and abdominal pain made up the majority of the clinical presentations. The majority of the subjects had partial gastrectomy (32.0%) which was followed by wedge resection (28.0%). Appendectomy and sleeve gastrectomy were the least performed procedures (8% each). Four of the 25 patients (16.0%) had resections of involved contiguous organs done with splenectomy being the most common procedure. The majority of GISTs were found in the stomach (68.0%) followed by the appendix (12.0%) and small bowel (12.0%). Gastrointestinal bleeding (55.8%) and abdominal pain (38.5%) were the most reported symptoms. Free resection margins were observed in 84.0% of the subjects and only 3/25 (12.0%) experienced tumour recurrence.

Conclusion: GIST is a potentially curable tumour that once was obscure but currently gaining popularity. Surgical resection offers the hope of a cure for localized disease while targeted therapies is a viable option for recurrent, metastatic, or unresectable tumours.

Keywords: Gastrointestinal stromal tumours; Imatinib; Partial gastrectomy.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest concerning the publication of this paper.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Immunohistochemistry staining with CD117 (C-Kit) in A and DOG 1 in B at ×300 magnification
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Gross abdominal distension due to massive ascites of one patient
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Abdominal CT scan of one patient showing mass (red arrow) originating from the stomach and invading spleen, pancreas, and small bowel
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Abdominal CT scan showing heterogenous gastric tumour (red arrow) with ascites (blue arrow)
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Frequency distribution of the surgical treatment options offered. DP distal pancreatectomy, SAH subtotal abdominal hysterectomy, TC transverse colectomy
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Intra-operative view of tumour (A) and pathologic specimen (B) of one patient
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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