Giant GIST tumour successfully resected in 72 year old Ugandan Male

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) account for ≤1% of all GIT tumors. They arise from the interstitial cells of Cajal within the myenteric plexus. The gastric GIST can grow to a massive size and a patient will usually present with nonspecific symptoms like abdominal pain and early satiety. Diagnosis is usually a dilemma. We present a 72 year old male who presented with a complaint of abdominal pain for ten years. Imaging studies were not conclusive on type of tumour. Due to early symptoms of gastric outlet obstruction we performed surgery. The tumour was locally advanced and measured 18 cm X 12 cm X 24 cm. Haemoxylineosin staining showed spindle cells in whorls while immunohistochemistry was positive for c-KIT (CD117) and CD -34. A diagnosis of GIST was made. Neoadjuvant imatinib was scheduled for the patient.