Duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumor adjacent to the minor papilla with concomitant pancreatic divisum

Clinicopathological features, surgical strategy and prognosis of duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumors: a series of 300 patients

BACKGROUND

The relatively low incidence of duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) and the unique anatomy make the surgical management and outcomes of this kind of tumor still under debate. Thus, this study aimed to explore the optimal surgical strategy and prognosis of duodenal GISTs.

METHODS

A total of 300 cases of duodenal GISTs were obtained from our center (37 cases) and from case reports or series (263 cases) extracted from MEDLINE. Clinicopathological features, type of resections and survivals of duodenal GISTs were analyzed.

RESULTS

The most common location of duodenal GISTs was descending portion (137/266, 51.5%). The median tumor size was 4 cm (0.1-28). Most patients (66.3%) received limited resection (LR). Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) was mainly performed for GISTs with larger tumor size or arose from descending portion (both P < 0.05). For both the entire cohort and tumors located in the descending portion, PD was not an independent risk factor for disease-free survival (DFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) (both P > 0.05). Duodenal GISTs were significantly different from gastric GISTs with respect to tumor size, mitotic index and NIH risk category (all P < 0.05). The DFS and DSS of duodenal GISTs was significantly worse than that of gastric GISTs (both P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

LR was a more prevalent surgical procedure and PD was mainly performed for tumors with larger diameter or located in descending portion. Type of resection was not an independent risk factor for the prognosis of duodenal GISTs. Prognosis of duodenal GISTs was significantly worse than that of gastric GISTs.

Pancreatic GIST with pancreas divisum: A new entity

INTRODUCTION

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) are uncommon intra-abdominal tumours. These tumours tend to arise with a higher frequency in the stomach and the small bowel. In fewer than 5% of cases, they originate primarily from extra-gastrointestinal tumours (EGISTs). Gastrointestinal stromal tumour of the pancreas is very rare. Only few cases have been published. We report the first case of stromal tumour of the pancreas with concomitant pancreas divisum.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 39-year-old male who presented with constipation and abdominal pain. A computerized tomography demonstrated a 9cm pancreatic mass, without liver lesions. A Whipple procedure with segmental colectomy was performed with success. After 24months follow up, the patient is doing well and disease-free.

DISCUSSION

Mesenchymal tumours of the pancreas are extremely rare, accounting for less than 1% of all pancreatic tumours. The endoscopic ultrasound is helpful for diagnosis. Surgical resection with negative pathologic margins remains the treatment of choice.

CONCLUSION

in our knowledge, this is the first case of pancreatic GIST with pancreas divisum. Although pancreatic GISTs are uncommon tumours, they must be considered in the differential diagnosis of solid pancreatic lesions. Even though the tumour can be evaluated as high risk, treatment must be aggressive in order to improve survival rate.