Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor Of Rectum

This is a case report of a 40 year old lady presenting with gastrointestinal stromal tumor of rectum. Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) tend to present with higher frequency in the stomach (60-70%) and small bowel (20-25%) while colon and rectum represent rare sites. Gastrointestinal stromal tumors of the rectum represent around 5% of all GISTs and 0.1% of all tumours originating in the rectum. Anterior resection of rectum with stapled anastomosis with protective colostomy was done in our patient and Imatinib [400 mg per day] was advised as adjuvant therapy. To date, follow up of the patient has been satisfactory. The diagnostic work up of rectal GIST is similar to other rectal tumors. Complete surgical resection is the principal curative treatment for primary rectal GIST. The efficacy of adjuvant imatinib therapy needs further evaluation.