Session Speaker

Six months neoadjuvant Imatinib improves respectability potential of gastric stromal tumors in Egyptian patients
Gamal M. Saied
Egypt

Objectives: Local excision with negative margins is the preferred approach for gastric stromal tumors. Adjuvant imatinib is essential for advanced cases, but data are not enough to recommend its use before operation to increase resectability. Current study aims at probing this concept.

Patients & Methods: The study included 16 patients presenting with gastric GISTs and were candidates for emergency or elective surgery. Patients were enrolled in 2 groups: A and B (harbouring c-kit +ve tumors). Each B patient received oral imatinib for 6 months before operation. Assessment was at day 100 .Chi-square test checked size changes, and p at < .02535 was considered significant.

Results: All group B patients had abdominal discomfort, with or without epigastric pain, or hematemesis. Tumor size ranged from 8.4 to 20 cm. mostly in upper stomach, all were treated by wedge or partial gastrectomy followed by imatinib. Reporting no recurrence for 6 months.

Conclusion: Imatinib has an acceptable safety profile and would be considered as a neoadjuvant therapy in gastric GISTs. 6 months intake may increase resectability potential and improve prognosis.