Clinical characteristics and prognostic analysis of postoperative recurrence or metastasis of low-risk gastrointestinal stromal tumors

Background Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the digestive tract. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of postoperative recurrence or metastasis in patients with low-risk stromal tumors, in order to take individualized postoperative management and treatment for patients with low-risk GISTs with relatively high recurrence. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathological and follow-up data of patients with GISTs who underwent surgical resection in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from March 2010 to December 2021. A total of 282 patients with low-risk GISTs were included, none of whom were treated with imatinib. Univariate and multivariate Cox analysis and survival curves were used to explore the relationship between clinical features and recurrence or metastasis in patients with low-risk GISTs. Results Of the 282 patients with low-risk GISTs who met inclusion criteria, 14 (4.96%) had recurrence or metastasis. There was a correlation between tumor size, primary site, resection type, Ki67 index, neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and CD34 expression and postoperative recurrence or metastasis of GISTs ( P < 0.05). Subsequently, multifactorial analysis showed that tumor primary site, tumor size, and Ki67 index were independent risk factors affecting postoperative recurrent or metastasis in patients with low-risk GISTs ( P < 0.05). Ultimately, According to Kaplan-Meier analysis, non-gastric primary tumors, larger tumors, and high Ki67 index were significantly associated with poor progression-free survival ( PFS ). Conclusions Tumor location, tumor size and Ki-67 were independent risk factors for postoperative recurrence and metastasis in patients with low-risk GISTs. Based on the 2008 modified NIH recurrence risk grading system, combined with the above three factors, it can be used to evaluate the prognosis of patients with low-risk GISTs and provide personalized postoperative review and follow-up management recommendations.