Gastric and prostate adenocarcinoma in a patient with metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor

Frequency, localization, and types of gastrointestinal stromal tumor-associated neoplasia

BACKGROUND

In recent years, increasing evidence of second neoplasms associated with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) has been found. Numerous case reports, mostly retrospective studies and a few reviews, have been published. To our knowledge, however, no systematic review or meta-analysis of the existing data has been performed so far.

AIM

To prepare a compilation, as complete as possible, of all reported second tumor entities that have been described in association with GIST and to systematically analyze the published studies with regard to frequency, localization, and types of GIST-associated neoplasms.

METHODS

The MEDLINE and EBSCO databases were searched for a combination of the keywords GIST/secondary, synchronous, coincident/tumor, neoplasm, and relevant publications were selected by two independent authors.

RESULTS

Initially, 3042 publications were found. After deletion of duplicates, 1631 remained, and 130 papers were selected; 22 of these were original studies with a minimum of 20 patients, and 108 were case reports. In the 22 selected studies, comprising a total number of 12050 patients, an overall rate of GIST-associated neoplasias of 20% could be calculated. Most second neoplasias were found in the gastrointestinal tract (32%) and in the male and female urogenital tract (30%). The specific risk scores of GISTs associated with other tumors were significantly lower than those without associated neoplasias.

CONCLUSION

In this first systematic review, we could confirm previously reported findings of a more than coincidental association between GIST and other neoplasias. The question whether there is an underlying causal association will need further investigation. Our data suggest that even GIST with a very low risk of disease progression should prompt screening for second neoplasia and subsequent frequent controls or extended staging.

Secondary malignancy after imatinib therapy: eight cases and review of the literature

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a clonal stem cell disorder, and imatinib is a small molecule inhibitor of Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase (TK) used in cases with CML. Immediate and short-term side effects of this tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) are well known, but the long-term side effects have not yet been clearly identified. Although an increased risk of secondary cancer in cases treated by imatinib was not found in two large series, secondary malignancies have been reported in some cases using TKIs, and this issue is important in daily clinical practice for clinicians. Here we report eight cases with neoplasias that developed during imatinib therapy and review secondary malignant disorders occurring during/after imatinib treatment.

Survival of patients with multiple primary malignancies: a study of 783 patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor

BACKGROUND

We sought to investigate the characteristics and survival rate of patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) associated with other primary malignancies.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 783 patients with GIST were identified from 1995 to 2007. Additional primaries included tumors not considered metastasis, invasion, or recurrence of GIST, nor non-melanoma skin cancer. Data on gender, age at diagnosis, follow-up time after diagnosis, and death were collected.

RESULTS

Of the 783 patients with GIST, 153(20%) were identified with at least one additional primary. Patients with additional primaries were more often men (M : F 1.5 versus 1.3) and older (66 versus 53 years). More patients had another cancer diagnosed before (134) than after (52) GIST. Primaries observed before GIST were cancers of the prostate (25), breast (12), esophagus (9), and kidney (7) and melanoma (6). Lung (5) and kidney (5) primaries were the most frequent after GIST. The 5-year survival was 68% for patients with primaries before GIST, 61% for patients with primaries after GIST, 58% for patients with GIST only, and 49% for patients with two or more primaries in addition to GIST (P = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately 20% of patients with GIST develop other cancers. Inferior median 5-year survival was observed in patients with GIST with two or more other cancers. The etiology and clinical implications of other malignancies in patients with GIST should be investigated.

A case of gastrointestinal stromal tumor diagnosed on prostate biopsy

BACKGROUND

A 56-year-old man initially presented to a local urologist with severe lower urinary tract symptoms and microhematuria. He had a history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, mild asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease, erectile dysfunction, and pyeloplasty as a child. Investigations at this time included urinalysis, measurement of serum PSA levels, cystoscopy, urine cytology, and renal ultrasonography. The findings were suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia, and the patient received finasteride, tamsulosin, and underwent transurethral needle ablation of the prostate. Four years after the initial presentation, the patient presented to a tertiary institution with worsened symptoms.

INVESTIGATIONS

Upon re-presentation, investigations included measurement of serum PSA levels, pelvic CT, transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy, histological examination of the biopsy specimen and immunohistochemical staining.

DIAGNOSIS

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor.

MANAGEMENT

Imatinib 400 mg daily followed by surgical resection.