Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

World J Surg Oncol 2018 Jul 3;16(1):125. Epub 2018 Jul 3.

Department of Surgical Oncology, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.

Background: Schwannomas of the colon and rectum are rare among gastrointestinal schwannomas. They are usually discovered incidentally as a submucosal mass on routine colonoscopy and diagnosed on pathologic examination of the operative specimen. Little information exists on the diagnosis and management of this rare entity. Read More

Mod Pathol 2018 Jan;31(S1):S133-142

Robert J Tomsich Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Institute, Anatomic Pathology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.

Mesenchymal tumors of the prostate are rare but often cause considerable diagnostic difficulty when encountered. These may be either benign or malignant and can arise within the prostate gland or in adjacent tissues. This review covers prostatic stromal proliferations (prostatic stromal tumor of uncertain malignant potential and stromal sarcoma), solitary fibrous tumor, myofibroblastic proliferations, smooth muscle neoplasms (leiomyoma and leiomyosarcoma), gastrointestinal stromal tumor, schwannoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, sarcomatoid carcinoma, postradiation sarcoma, and mixed epithelial stromal tumor of the seminal vesicle. Read More

Gastrointest Endosc 2018 02 4;87(2):370-377. Epub 2017 Aug 4.

Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.

Background And Aims: Subepithelial esophageal tumors (SETs) are frequent incidental findings. Although symptomatic tumors are surgically or endoscopically resected, there is no consensus on the management of asymptomatic esophageal leiomyomas.

Methods: Appropriate International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes followed by medical record review were used to identify patients with SETs from January 1992 to March 2017, with abstraction of basic demographics, surveillance intervals, and mortality. Read More

Rom J Morphol Embryol 2017 ;58(2):339-350

Department of Pathology, "Colentina" Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania;

Since they were described, gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are, for pathologists and not only for them, a subject of controversy regarding histological origin, differentiation, nomenclature, malignant potential and prognosis. Before 1998, there were no certainties that GISTs were fundamentally different from other types of abdominal cancers in the big family of mesenchymal tumors. Before the discovery of KIT gene mutations, GISTs were most often classified as leiomyoma, leiomyosarcoma, leiomyoblastoma, and gastrointestinal autonomic nerve tumor. Read More

Cancer Control 2015 Oct;22(4):498-504

Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL.

Background: DOG1 is a novel gene on gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) that encodes the chloride channel protein anoctamin 1, also known as discovered on GIST-1 (DOG1) protein. DOG1 antibodies are a sensitive and specific marker against GIST positive for CD117 and CD34 and negative for CD117 and CD34. DOG1 is also independent of KIT or PDGFRA mutation status and considered specific for GIST when it was first discovered in 2004. Read More

Niger J Med 2015 Apr-Jun;24(2):150-4

Background: Mesenchymal Gastrointestinal (GI) tumours are heterogenous group of tumours. Prior to 2005, immunohistochemistry (IHC) was not used in diagnostic pathology to characterize these tumours at our centre.

Objectives: To subclassify mesenchymal tumours in the GI tract and related locations into Gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) and non-GIST tumours using specific IHC antibody markers. Read More

BMC Gastroenterol 2015 Aug 19;15:106. Epub 2015 Aug 19.

Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Science and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, 400372, Romania.

Background: Whitish intraluminal esophageal masses might represent the endoscopic feature of a bezoar or a pedunculated tumor, most likely a fibrovascular polyp, without exclusion of other mesenchymal tumors (leiomyoma, lipoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumor, leiomyosarcoma, granular cell tumor). If a process of dystrophic calcification is also encountered the differential diagnosis can be a challenge even after histological analysis, as it is highlighted by our case.

Case Presentation: A 65-year-old female whom took lactate calcium tablets for 5 years presented with progressive dysphagia. Read More

Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2015 Jul-Aug;56(4):432-8. Epub 2015 Apr 1.

University of Massachusetts, Worcester, MA, 01655.

Canine gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are a recent subtype of gastrointestinal spindle cell tumor recognized with the increasing use of immunohistochemistry. To our knowledge, no imaging features have been described in immunostochemically confirmed canine GISTs. The objective of this retrospective, cross-sectional study was to describe ultrasonographic features of canine GISTs compared with other spindle cell tumors. Read More

Histol Histopathol 2015 May 9;30(5):581-8. Epub 2014 Dec 9.

Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.

The presence of CD117 positive cells in esophageal leiomyoma may lead to a misdiagnosis of GIST. We reviewed 46 esophageal tumors which were smooth muscle tumors or GIST. Based on morphology, immunohistochemistry and mutation analysis, there were 44 (95. Read More

AJR Am J Roentgenol 2014 Aug;203(2):306-14

1 Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY.

Objective: The purpose of this article is to describe the imaging and clinicopathologic characteristics of esophageal gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) and to emphasize the features that differentiate esophageal GISTs from esophageal leiomyomas.

Materials And Methods: A pathology database search identified all surgically resected or biopsied esophageal GISTs, esophageal leiomyomas, and esophageal leiomyosarcomas from 1994 to 2012. Esophageal GISTs were included only if imaging studies (including CT, fluoroscopic, or (18)F-FDG PET/CT scans) and clinical data were available. Read More

Oman Med J 2014 Mar;29(2):138-41

Department of Gastroenterology, Nizwa Hospital, Sultanate of Oman.

Advances in the identification of gastrointestinal stromal tumors, its molecular and immunohiostochemical basis, and its management have been a watershed in the treatment of gastrointestinal tumors. This paradigm shift occurred over the last two decades and gastrointestinal stromal tumors have now come to be understood as rare gastrointestinal tract tumors with predictable behavior and outcome, replacing the older terminologies like leiomyoma, schwannoma or leiomyosarcoma. This report presents a case of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor operated recently in a 47-year-old female patient and the outcome, as well as literature review of the pathological identification, sites of origin, and factors predicting its behavior, prognosis and treatment. Read More

Hum Pathol 2014 Mar 23;45(3):481-7. Epub 2013 Oct 23.

Department of Anatomic Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan.

Insulin-like growth factor II messenger RNA-binding protein 3 (IMP3) is a recently identified biomarker demonstrated to be useful in diagnosis and prognostic prediction for several kinds of malignant tumors. However, the clinicopathologic and diagnostic value of IMP3 in mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract is not clear. In this study, we examined the immunohistochemical expression of IMP3 in gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) (n = 150), malignant melanoma (n = 17), malignant mesothelioma (n = 6), leiomyosarcoma (n = 6), inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) (n = 12), desmoid fibromatosis (n = 8), leiomyoma (n = 20), and schwannoma (n = 20). Read More

Int Surg 2013 Oct-Dec;98(4):315-8

1 Department of Surgery, Korea University Anam Hospital, Seoul, Korea.

Isolated colonic schwannomas are rare gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumors. Only a small number of cases have been reported. Occurrence of these tumors is more common in the stomach than in the large intestine. Read More

Hum Pathol 2013 Jun 15;44(6):1125-30. Epub 2013 Jan 15.

Department of Pathology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 1A8.

Sirtuin, silent mating-type information regulation 2 homolog Saccharomyces cerevisiae 1 (SIRT1), is a protein that has been implicated in multiple mammalian functions including cell aging, stress resistance, and differentiation. SIRT1 has also been shown to be involved in multiple tumors. In addition, new pharmacotherapies have recently been approved that target SIRT1. Read More

Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2013 May 4;86(2):191-9. Epub 2012 Dec 4.

Cukurova University Medical Faculty, Department of Medical Oncology, Adana, Turkey.

Background: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a genetic syndrome that predisposes patients to benign and malignant tumor development. Patients with NF1 develop multiple neurofibromas that can transform into aggressive sarcomas known as malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors. In contrast, malignant tumors unrelated to the nervous system rarely coexist with neurofibromatosis. Read More

J Hematol Oncol 2012 May 8;5:21. Epub 2012 May 8.

Division of Oncology/Hematology, New York Medical College and Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA.

The discovery of CD117 mutation in almost all gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) marked a milestone. Other spindle cell neoplasms arising from the GI tract including lipoma, schwannoma, hemangioma, leiomyoma, and leiomyosarcoma are typically CD117-negative. GIST research and clinical care now represent a paradigm of translating discoveries in the molecular pathogenesis of cancer into highly effective targeted therapies that selectively inhibit etiologic "driver" pathways, leading to dramatically improved clinical outcomes. Read More

Nihon Rinsho 2011 Aug;69 Suppl 6:93-8

Department of Pathology, Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital.

Zhonghua Bing Li Xue Za Zhi 2012 Feb;41(2):97-101

Department of Pathology, People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China.

Objective: To study the clinical and pathologic features of gastric schwannomas.

Methods: The macroscopic and microscopic features of 9 cases of gastric schwannoma were analyzed. Immunohistochemical study for S-100 protein, CD117, CD34, neurofilament, desmin, nestin, glial fibrillary acidic protein, platelet derived growth factor-alpha (PDGFR-α) and vimentin was carried out. Read More

Diagn Cytopathol 2012 Jun 20;40(6):484-90. Epub 2012 Feb 20.

Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are the most common mesenchymal neoplasm arising from the gastrointestinal tract. Workup of these lesions includes morphologic study and immunohistochemical and often molecular diagnostic analysis. Historically, these neoplasms had been included under a number of diagnostic categories including leiomyoma, leiomyosarcoma, schwannoma, and leiomyoblastoma. Read More

Rom J Morphol Embryol 2011 ;52(3 Suppl):1121-5

Nicolae Anestiadi First Department of Surgery and Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Nicolae Testemitanu Medical University, National Center of Emergency Medicine, Kishinev, Moldova.

Background: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are low-grade malignant tumors that may arise anywhere in the alimentary tract, and in the past, most of them were diagnosed as intestinal leiomyoma or leiomyosarcoma. GISTs of the duodenum make up only 4.5% of all GISTs. Read More

Am J Surg Pathol 2012 Feb;36(2):265-72

Laboratory of Pathology, National Institutes of Health, NCI, 10 Center Drive, Room 2B50,Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.

Identification of metastatic melanoma can be difficult because of its considerable morphologic variation and mimicry of a wide variety of other tumors. The more melanoma-specific melanoma markers, MelanA/MART-1, HMB45, and tyrosinase, used in addition to S100 protein, all have limitations in sensitivity and specificity. In this study, we evaluated 2 new melanoma markers, monoclonal antibodies KBA62 and PNL2 to yet unidentified antigens, using a large panel of metastatic melanomas (n=214), desmoplastic melanomas (n=34), gastrointestinal mucosal melanomas (n=54), benign nevi (n=27), clear cell sarcomas (n=16), and nonmelanocytic tumors (n=1218). Read More

Mol Cell Endocrinol 2012 Feb 25;349(2):170-9. Epub 2011 Oct 25.

Université de Toulouse 3, EA 4552 Toulouse, France.

The cholecystokinin-2 receptor (CCK2R), is expressed in cancers where it contributes to tumor progression. The CCK2R is over-expressed in a sub-set of tumors, allowing its use in tumor targeting with a radiolabel ligand. Since discrepancies between mRNA levels and CCK2R binding sites were noticed, we searched for abnormally spliced variants in tumors from various origins having been previously reported to frequently express cholecystokinin receptors, such as medullary thyroid carcinomas, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, leiomyomas and leiomyosarcomas, and gastroenteropancreatic tumors. Read More

Surg Pathol Clin 2011 Sep;4(3):915-62

Mayo Clinic Arizona, 13400 East Shea Boulevard, Scottsdale, AZ 85259, USA.

This article reviews the most common and characteristic mesenchymal lesions found in the gastrointestinal tract and intraabdominal location in a pattern-based approach: spindle and epithelioid tumors (gastrointestinal stromal tumor, schwannoma, glomus tumor, leiomyoma and leiomyosarcoma, inflammatory fibroid polyp, perineurioma, melanoma, calcifying fibrous tumor, sclerosing mesenteritis, mesenteric fibromatosis, and inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor), and clear and granular tumors (clear cell sarcoma, granular cell tumor, gangliocytic paraganglioma, and ganglioneuroma). Information includes gross and histologic features, diagnosis and differential diagnosis, and histologic and other diagnostic techniques, including immunohistochemistry related to projected patient outcome, along with prognosis, staging, and treatment. Read More

Vet Pathol 2011 Jan 8;48(1):283-91. Epub 2010 Sep 8.

Department of Pathology, The Animal Medical Center, and Laboratory of Comparative Pathology of Rockefeller University, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), leiomyomas, and leiomyosarcomas are common mesenchymal neoplasms in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of dogs. As previously diagnosed smooth muscle tumors of the canine GI tract are increasingly reclassified as GISTs, it becomes important to identify additional criteria that may assist in the diagnosis of these neoplasms, provide prognostic information, and offer targets for therapy. Examination of cluster of differentiation (CD), molecule expression (such as KIT [CD117] and CD34) as well as gross, histologic, and immunohistochemical features (such as tumor size, tumor location, mitotic index, AgNOR, and Ki67 labeling) in human GISTs has revealed new and valuable prognostic, diagnostic, and therapeutic information. Read More

Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2010 Apr;14(4):327-33

Department of Surgical Sciences, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.

Small intestinal neoplasms are uncommon cancers. Benign small intestinal tumors (e.g. Read More

In Vivo 2010 Jan-Feb;24(1):109-15

Department of Surgical Pathology, Saint Savvas Anticancer Hospital, Athens, Greece.

Background: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are common mesenchymal neoplasms of the digestive tract and may occasionally arise within the abdomen without gastrointestinal tract connection. GISTs have recently attracted widespread interest because of the development of effective targeted molecular agents against it. While synchronous occurrence of a GIST with a tumor of different histogenesis was thought to be very rare, it is now apparent that they are more common than previously believed. Read More

Magy Onkol 2009 Dec;53(4):377-83

Semmelweis Egyetem, II. sz. Patológiai Intézet, 1091 Budapest, Ulloi út 93.

Gastrointestinal tumors are highly ranked regarding tumoral mortality worldwide. The development and progression of gastrointestinal (GI) diseases go hand in hand with the changes of tight junctions (TJ). Claudins (CLDN) are the main TJ proteins, showing different expression by the different tissues, with the expressed CLDN profile being representative. Read More

Ai Zheng 2009 Sep;28(9):983-8

State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510060, PR China.

Background And Objective: Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is one of the most common mesenchymal tumors of the digestive system. Imaging examination plays an important role in preoperative diagnosis and postoperative evaluation for it. This study was to describe the multi-slice spiral computed tomographic (MSCT) findings and pathologic features of GIST, and to analyze their correlation. Read More

Dig Surg 2009 26;26(3):229-35. Epub 2009 May 26.

Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.

Purpose: Recurrence of a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) may require multimodal therapy and the role of repeated surgery in this concept is unclear.

Patients And Methods: A consecutive series of GIST patients treated by surgery, imatinib therapy or both was retrospectively reviewed, and long-term survival was studied by Kaplan-Meier analysis.

Results: Institutional primary surgeries before 1999 necessitated reclassification of the histopathological sections and 58/78 patients were classified as having true GIST. Read More

Med Pregl 2008 Nov-Dec;61(11-12):639-42

Institut za radiologiju, Klinicki centar Vojvodine, Novi Sad.

Introduction: Gastrointestinal stromal tumor is relatively new term, it can be localized anywhere inside the gastrointestinal system. It has formerly been called leiomyoma, leiomyoblastoma, and/or leiomyosarcoma.

Case Report: Case report is about a female patient with indefinite difficulties described as "bother", mild anemia and anamnesis data of her mother who had been operated on for colon tumor. Read More

J Med Assoc Thai 2009 Jan;92(1):87-95

Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.

Background: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumor of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The advent of target therapy (imatinib mesylate) for GISTs increases the importance of pathologic diagnosis. The previous diagnosis with smooth muscle tumor (leiomyoma or leiomyosarcoma) and nerve sheath tumor (schwannoma) become GISTs after the study with CD117 immunohistochemistry accompanying conventional histologic study in many series. Read More

J Clin Gastroenterol 2009 Jan;43(1):27-35

Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, Hamburg.

Goals: To study the role of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in serum microsatellite DNA of patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST).

Background: In GIST, tumor markers from peripheral blood are missing.

Study: Seventy-eight patients (59 GIST, 13 leiomyomas, 2 leiomyosarcomas, and 4 schwannomas) underwent resection at our institute between 1985 and 2006. Read More

Int J Gynecol Cancer 2008 Sep-Oct;18(5):1115-8. Epub 2007 Nov 6.

Gynaecological Department and Pathology Department, Metaxa Memorial Cancer Hospital, Piraeus, Greece.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. These tumors are present in almost all case mutations of KIT-CD117. When located in different places other than the gastrointestinal tract they are called extragastrointestinal stromal tumors (EGISTs). Read More

Ann Biol Clin (Paris) 2007 Jul-Aug;65(4):365-8

Laboratoire d'anatomie pathologique, CHU Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisie.

Unlabelled: Mesenchymal tumors of the digestive tract are rare and display variable morphological appearances. Thanks to immunohistochemistry and molecular biology, these tumors are now better classified and dominated by stromal tumors.

Aims: the aim of this article is to study morphological characteristics of mesenchymal tumors of the digestive tract and to insist on immunohistochemistry contribution to diagnosis, especially the c-Kit. Read More

Vet Surg 2007 Jun;36(4):302-13

Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Objectives: To reclassify canine small intestinal and cecal leiomyoma (LM) and leiomyosarcoma (LMS) into smooth muscle and gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) using histologic and immunohistochemical (IH) analysis and to report clinical findings and survival data.

Study Design: Retrospective review of cases.

Animals: Dogs (n=47) with small intestinal (40 LMS; 7 LM) and 25 dogs with cecal tumors (23 LMS; 2 LM). Read More

Adv Anat Pathol 2007 May;14(3):178-88

Division of Anatomic Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.

Since the discovery of activating KIT mutations in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) in 1998 and the subsequent demonstration that some malignant GISTs respond to targeted therapy with imatinib, it has become increasingly important for pathologists to correctly diagnose GISTs and separate them from their potential mimics in the gastrointestinal tract and abdominal cavity. Some mesenchymal tumors, such as leiomyomas of the muscularis mucosae, are easily distinguished from GIST on the basis of their anatomic location and morphologic appearance. Others, such as gastrointestinal schwannomas, can significantly overlap with GIST in their gross appearance and morphology and require a panel of immunostains for correct diagnosis. Read More

Diagn Cytopathol 2007 Mar;35(3):167-70

Department of Pathology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) has proven itself to be a reliable method for the diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors and other gastrointestinal mesenchymal neoplasms. The diagnosis and distinction of these entities remain important, as these neoplasms have different prognoses and treatment options. We present a case of a 14. Read More

J Gynecol Obstet Biol Reprod (Paris) 2007 Jun 3;36(4):403-8. Epub 2007 Apr 3.

Service de gynécologie obstétrique, HME, CHU de Nantes, 38, boulevard Jean-Monnet, 44093 Nantes cedex, France.

Objectives: To analyze the possibilities of setting up a therapy for extra-uterine pelvic leiomyomas.

Methods: Three cases of leiomyomas of the broad ligament, of the round ligament and of the ovary, and literature review.

Results: Little is known about physiopathology of extra-uterine leiomyoma. Read More

Amino Acids 2007 6;32(3):395-400. Epub 2007 Feb 6.

Department of Molecular and Clinical Endocrinology and Oncology, Federico II University, Naples, Italy.

Imatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor directed against the enzymatic domain of KIT protein, was found to produce dramatic clinical responses in metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). However, resistance usually develops thus determining treatment failure. The present study was performed to analyse the expression of somatostatin receptor (SSTR) subtypes, modulators of tissue transglutaminase, in a series of GISTs and leiomyosarcomas by immunohistochemistry to identify a new potential therapeutic target. Read More

Zhonghua Wei Chang Wai Ke Za Zhi 2007 Jan;10(1):21-5

Department of Abdominal Surgery, Cancer Institute, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical University, Beijing 100021, China.

Objective: To identify the clinical pathological characteristics and prognostic factors in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors of the stomach.

Methods: The data of 98 patients of gastric stromal tumors, leiomyomas, leiomyosarcomas, leiomyoblastomas, schwannomas and neurofibromas, collected from Mar. 1983 to Dec. Read More

Zhonghua Wei Chang Wai Ke Za Zhi 2007 Jan;10(1):11-6

Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, People's Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100044, China.

Objective: To study the clinical pathologic and immunohistochemical features of gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumors (GIMTs), and to investigate the value of molecular markers in GIMTs clinical differentiation diagnosis.

Methods: The clinical and pathological data of 210 cases of GIMTs, collected from Jan. 1987 to Dec. Read More

Mod Pathol 2007 Jan;20(1):148-58

Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA.

Prostatic spindle cell lesions are diagnostically challenging and encompass a broad array of benign and malignant processes. A subset of these lesions arises only within the prostate and generally represents entities that originate from the prostate epithelium or stroma, such as sclerosing adenosis, sarcomatoid carcinoma, stromal tumors of uncertain malignant potential (STUMP), and stromal sarcoma. Another subset of spindle cell tumors that involve the prostate are also found at other sites and include solitary fibrous tumor, leiomyosarcoma, and neural lesions among others. Read More

Langenbecks Arch Surg 2007 Jan 21;392(1):75-81. Epub 2006 Sep 21.

Institut für Pathologie, Klinikum Nürnberg, Prof. Ernst-Nathan-Strasse 1, 90419 Nürnberg, Germany.

Background And Aim: True smooth-muscle neoplasms of the GI tract have been only rarely studied in the KIT era. Their incidence among other GI mesenchymal tumours and their clinicopathological spectrum have not been sufficiently analysed.

Materials And Methods: We reviewed all GI mesenchymal lesions at the Pathology Institute of the Nuremberg Clinic Centre from 1994 through 2005. Read More

Clin Transl Oncol 2006 Aug;8(8):594-8

Servicio de Cirugía General y del Aparato Digestivo, Hospital Parc Taulí, Sabadell, Barcelona, Spain.

Introduction: Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) are mesenchymal tumours of the digestive tract originated in the interstitial cells of Cajal. They express the tyrosine kinase c-kit (CD117) activity receptor. Mutations in this receptor cause neoplastic development. Read More

Ai Zheng 2006 Jul;25(7):901-5

State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510060, P. R. China.

Background & Objective: Esophageal stromal tumors and smooth muscle tumors are not easy to be distinguished in clinic though they have different pathologic features. This study was to compare the clinicopathologic features of esophageal stromal tumors and smooth muscle tumors, and discuss their treatments.

Methods: The expression of CD117 and CD34 in 16 specimens of primarily diagnosed esophageal leiomyoma, 4 specimens of esophageal leiomyosarcoma, and 1 specimen of stromal tumor was detected by immunohistochemistry. Read More

Int J Gynecol Pathol 2006 Jul;25(3):288-92

Department of Anatomic Pathology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Most GISTs arise in the stomach and small bowel, whereas a small number occur elsewhere in the GI tract. Rare cases are identified outside the GI tract and are collectively known as extragastrointestinal stromal tumors (EGISTs). Read More

Ann Pathol 2005 Oct;25(5):358-85; quiz 357

Département de Pathologie, Institut Bergonié, 33076 Bordeaux cedex.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most frequent mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. Major advances in their definition and classification and the understanding of their molecular mechanisms have recently been made. These advances have resulted in the delineation of a treatment that has become a model of targeted therapy in oncology. Read More

World J Gastroenterol 2005 Aug;11(32):5079-81

Third Department of Propaudeutic Surgery, University of Athens, Sotiria Hospital, Athens, Greece.

Schwannomas are rare tumors derived from the cells of Schwann that form the neural sheath. When located in the gastrointestinal tract, they constitute together with leiomyoma, leiomyoblastoma, and leiomyosarcoma, the gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). Peripheral nerve sheath tumors represent 2-6% GIST with most common location, the stomach and the small intestine. Read More

Arch Surg 2005 Jun;140(6):543-7; discussion 547-8

Department of Surgery, University of California at San Diego, 92093-0987, USA.

Background: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) constitute the largest category of nonepithelial neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract. Histologically, they have a spindle cell appearance but stain by immunohistochemistry for the proto-oncogene, c-kit (CD117). There is some evidence that phosphorylation of these receptors leads to a cascade that may activate the ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, which may, in turn, allow other oncogenes to become active. Read More

Orv Hetil 2005 May;146(18 Suppl 1):923-8

Országos Onkológiai Intézet, Daganatpathologiai Osztaly, Budapest.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) as an ideal model for targeted therapy in recent years has been placed in the lime-light of oncology. Once thought to be a tumor of smooth muscle origin and formerly practically therapy resistant lesion is now justified to differentiate toward interstitial cells of Cajal; and crucial step of the development of this tumor is the gain-of-function mutation of c-kit gene localized to chromosome 4q11-21. Due to phenotypic variability of GISTs for reliable diagnosis, it is essential to perform c-kit (CD117) immunohistochemical reaction. Read More