Long-term survival of a patient after resection of a gastrointestinal stromal tumor arising from the pancreas
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) may arise in any part of the gastrointestinal tract; extra-gastrointestinal locations are extremely rare. Only a few cases of extragastrointestinal stromal tumor arising from the pancreas were reported.
None of the reports described a long-term follow-up of the patients. METHOD: This report describes an interesting and unusual case of GIST arising from the pancreas.
RESULTS: A 74-year-old female presented with a palpable abdominal mass. CT scan showed a large mass 11x8x4 cm originating from the tail of the pancreas.
Percutaneous biopsy revealed a GIST predominantly with spindle cells, but some parts also contained epitheloid cells. The patient was treated by distal pancreatic resection with splenectomy.
Immunohistochemistry of the tumor showed a staining pattern characteristic of GIST. The patient has achieved a long-term survival of five years and six months without any sign of recurrence of the disease.
CONCLUSION: This is the first reported case of an extra-gastrointestinal stromal tumor arising from the pancreas treated surgically, with a long-term survival.