Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors – A Case Series – Our Experience Over Four Years in a Tertiary Care Medical College Hospital

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) are mesenchymal tumors arising from gastrointestinal tract, mesentery, or omentum. They account for up to 3% of gastrointestinal malignancies [1]. In frequency these tumors rank distant third after adenocarcinoma and lymphomas of gastrointestinal tract tumors histologically. GIST arises from the interstitial cells of Cajal. These are complex group of cell network which are the pace makers of the gut and initiate peristalsis [2]. Age incidence for GISTs is usually in adults between 40 and 70 and can be benign or malignant [3]. These tumors most commonly occur in the stomach and the small bowel. Clinical presentation is variable according to the site of tumor and the size. The most common symptoms encountered are abdominal mass, weight loss, gastrointestinal bleeding, anemia, pain abdomen, small or large bowel obstructive symptoms.