I tumori stromali gastrointestinali: presentazione di sei casi e revisione della letteratura

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) represent the most common kind of mesenchymal tumours that arise from the alimentary tract. GISTs express a growth factor receptor with tyrosine kinase function, which causes cellular proliferation and resistance to apoptosis. GISTs are generally found in the stomach (40-70%), and less commonly in the small intestine, colon-rectum, esophagus and peritoneum. Clinical and instrumental diagnosis is still very difficult to make. Surgery remains the standard treatment for nonmetastatic tumours. For non resectable and metastatic tumours seems to be effective the therapy with Imatinib mesylate, a specific inhibitor of tyrosine kinase receptor (KIT). Are ongoing many trials to value the effectiveness of this drug in adjuvant and neoadivant chemotherapy.