Metastatic duodenal GIST: role of surgery combined with imatinib mesylate

BACKGROUND The best possible treatment of metastatic high grade large duodenal GIST is controversial. Surgery (with or without segmental organ resection) remains the principal treatment for primary and recurrent GIST. However, patients with advanced duodenal GIST have a high risk of early tumour recurrence and short life expectancy. METHOD We present a case of a young man treated with a combined modality of surgery and imatinib for an advanced duodenal GIST. RESULTS He remains asymptomatic and disease free 42 months following this combined approach. CONCLUSION Treatment with imatinib has dramatically improved the outlook for patients with advanced, unresectable and/or metastatic disease.