Diagnosis and Endoscopic Treatment of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors Arising from Esophagus

Abstract

Aim:

The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the diagnosis and endoscopic treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) arising from esophagus.

Materials and Methods:

From January 2013 to December 2017, 16 cases of GISTs of esophagus were retrospectively identified from a total of >3000 GISTs treated in our center. Demographic characteristics, clinical data, endoscopic therapy outcomes, histopathology, and follow-up were analyzed.

Results:

The mean age of the patients was 53 years (range 35–71 years), mostly female (56.3%). Seven tumors were in the lower esophagus, five in the middle esophagus, and one in the upper esophagus. The most common symptom was abdominal discomfort (8/16; 50.0%), followed by acid reflux (6/16; 37.5%). All of the patients underwent CT scan, gastroscopy, and/or endoscopic ultrasound. Two patients were diagnosed with esophageal GISTs with a preoperative endoscopic biopsy. Tumors were resected completely in all patients by endoscopic surgery. The median operating time was 85 minutes (range 28–153 minutes), and the average tumor size was 11.6 mm (range 6–21 mm). Postoperative histopathology demonstrated esophageal GISTs were positive for CD117 and CD34. The mean length of postoperative hospital stay was 4.7 days (range 2–7 days). The median postoperative follow-up duration was 28 months (range 1–59 months).

Conclusion:

Endoscopic treatment seems to be safe and effective for tumors size <20 mm in diameter. However, long-term prospective randomized controlled trials are further needed.