Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
5
pubmed:dateCreated
2002-7-2
pubmed:abstractText
This paper reviews data on the prognosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). These tumors are specific KIT-expressing and KIT-signaling-driven mesenchymal tumors, many of which have KIT-activating mutations. GISTs occur in the entire gastrointestinal (GI) tract and may also arise from the omentum, mesenteries, and retroperitoneum. They range from small benign tumors to sarcomas at all sites of occurrence. A KIT tyrosine kinase inhibitor, STI-571 (imatinib [Gleevec]; Novartis, Basel, Switzerland), has recently shown promise in the treatment of metastatic GISTs. Understanding the natural history of GIST before introduction of STI-571 will help assess the impact and position of this new treatment. The frequency of benign versus malignant GISTs varies between sites. Benign GISTs outnumber malignant GISTs in the stomach, whereas malignant GISTs are more common in the intestines. Tumors that have metastasized at presentation have a very poor prognosis. Traditionally, the 3 key prognostic factors have been mitotic rate, tumor size, and site. Tumors that are small (< or =2 cm) and show mitotic activity not exceeding 5 mitoses per 50 high-power fields (HPFs) have an excellent prognosis, probably independent of site, although this has not been shown specifically for all sites. In the stomach, most epithelioid GISTs are benign, provided that mitotic counts do not exceed 5/50 HPFs. However, a small proportion of tumors apparently lacking mitotic activity do metastasize. Tumors with a mitotic rate >5/50 HPFs usually have a malignant behavior. The Ki67 index may help identify tumors with malignant potential, but large site-specific series are not yet available. Genetic markers, including DNA-copy number changes, telomerase activity, and KIT mutation status, may be useful in more accurately identifying tumors with malignant potential.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
May
pubmed:issn
0046-8177
pubmed:author
pubmed:copyrightInfo
Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
33
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
478-83
pubmed:dateRevised
2009-11-19
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2002
pubmed:articleTitle
Evaluation of malignancy and prognosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors: a review.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Soft Tissue Pathology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington, DC 20306-6000, USA.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Review, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't