Understanding the critical role for surgery in the management of wild-type gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST)

Approach to wild-type gastrointestinal stromal tumors

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) arise from the intestinal pacemaker cells of Cajal. Wild-type gastrointestinal stromal tumors (WT-GIST) are a unique and uncommon subtype of GISTs that lack activating mutations in the tyrosine kinase c-KIT or platelet derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) receptors. The lack of these growth-stimulating mutations renders tyrosine kinase receptor inhibitors, such as imatinib mesylate, relatively ineffective against these tumors. WT-GIST arises most commonly due to underlying alternate proliferative signals associated with germ-line, genetic mutations. WT-GIST frequently arises in patients with BRAF mutations, Carney's Triad or neurofibromatosis type-1 (NF-1). All patients with WT-GIST require a careful examination for germ-line mutations and very close observation for recurrent tumors. Surgery remains a mainstay therapy for these patients. This review aims to discuss the most recent data available on the diagnosis and treatment of WT-GIST.

Current treatment strategies in pediatric gastrointestinal stromal cell tumor

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are exceedingly rare tumors in the pediatric population. As a result, many clinicians either may never see this diagnosis or will encounter it only a few times throughout their careers. Additionally, the more we discover about this disease, it becomes evident that it represents a distinct clinical entity from adult GIST. Many of the treatments and strategies used to combat the adult tumor are either ineffective or may be harmful to the pediatric population with this disease. The unique tumor biology found in pediatric GIST necessitates unique approaches and treatment strategies in order to achieve the best clinical outcome. This review aims to discuss the most recent data available on the different therapeutic modalities utilized in cases of Pediatric GIST.

Colorectal sarcoma: more than a gastrointestinal stromal tumor

Primary colorectal sarcomas have been defined as a rare and diverse group of mesenchymal cancers distinct from gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). Primary colorectal sarcomas have been recognized as a distinct entity from GISTs due to the dramatically worse prognosis these sarcomas carry. Also, primary colorectal sarcomas when compared to the more common colorectal adenocarcinoma, demonstrate more aggressive biology, present at a younger age and carry worse outcomes. At this time, surgery remains the mainstay of treatment and adjuvant chemotherapy has an unclear role in treatment of primary colorectal sarcoma. This paper attempts to review the available data regarding primary colorectal sarcomas.