Background: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are uncommon mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract that occur predominantly in adults. GISTs in pediatric patients are rare and not well characterized. We reviewed the presentation, diagnostic work-up, pathological specimens, and outcomes of two children with GIST that originated from the stomach. Literature pertaining to pediatric GISTs was also reviewed.
Clinical cases: Both patients presented with upper GI bleeding from a gastric tumor. The first patient was a 10-year-old male who underwent partial gastrectomy but had recurrence 26 years later requiring surgical exploration due to extensive infiltration into the surrounding organs; the tumor was not resected. The patient is currently being treated with imatinib mesylate. The second patient was a 12-year-old female who had a pedunculated mass originating from the stomach and requiring resection. She subsequently had a local recurrence 2 years later requiring partial gastrectomy. Adjuvant imatinib mesylate was recommended because of the large size of the tumor (8 cm).
Conclusions: Pediatric GISTs represent a distinct subset of sarcomas with a strong predominance for females and gastric location, with 56 cases reported in the English-language literature.