Clinical Observations on Treatment for Chinese Patients with Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors

Background: To investigate the diagnostic and treatment methods for Chinese patients with gastrointestinalstromal tumor (GIST). Materials and
Methods: From January 2004 to June 2014, patients diagnosed withprimary GIST and treated by a single medical team in the Department of Digestive Disease of XuYi Hospitalof Traditional Chinese Medicine were retrospectively recruited. Re-examination and follow-up was conductedregularly and abdominal enhanced CT, blood biochemistry and responses to surgery or imatinib were recorded.
Results: A total of 15 patients were enrolled, including 9 male and 6 female patients, with an average age of 54years (ranging from 32-81 years). The primary symptoms were abdominal uncomfortable in 5 patients, abdominalpain in 6 patients as well as nausea and vomiting in 4 patients. One patient was diagnosed with bowl obstructionat the first visit. All patients were treated with surgery, and tumor site was confirmed 1 esophagus, 6 stomach, 4small bowel, and 4 colorectal and all patients were pathologically diagnosed with GIST. Immunochemical testpositive for CD 117 was found 12 patients, and positive for CD 34 in7 patients. The median follow-up time was24 months (range of 3-63). Three metastasis were confirmed 1.5, 2 and 2.6 years postoperatively. Three patientswere treatment by imatinib postoperatively.
Conclusions: Surgery remains the main treatment method forChinese patients with GIST and imatinib could be feasible and safe for treating Chinese patients with GIST.