Gastrointestinal stromal tumors in western Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVE: To determine the pattern of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) in the population of 2 large tertiary centers in the western province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

METHODS: This retrospective study used cases diagnosed as GIST at the histopathology laboratories of King Abdul-Aziz University Hospital between January 2000 and October 2009, and King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Jeddah, KSA, between January 2002 and December 2008. Additionally, cases diagnosed as gastrointestinal spindle cell tumors, sarcomas, schwannomas, leiomyomas, and leiomyosarcomas at King Abdul-Aziz University Hospital between January 1995 and December 1999 prior to the introduction of CD117 immunostain testing in the lab were tested for it. Positive cases were included in the study. Age and gender of the patients, as well as tumor location, maximum diameter, and mitotic count were analyzed.

RESULTS: Thirty-seven cases were found in which the mean age was 55.6 years. Nineteen tumors were located in the stomach (51.4%), 7 in the small bowel (18.9%), 2 in the colorectum (5.4%), 4 in the mesentery (10.8%), and 5 in the abdomen (13.5%). Fifteen cases (40.5%) were high risk, 13 (35.2%) were intermediate risk, 3 (8.1%) were low risk, and one case (2.7%) was very low risk for aggressive behavior.

CONCLUSION: The GISTs are more prevalent in Saudi Arabia than is generally thought. Most cases occurred in male adults over 40 years of age. The stomach is the most frequent location of occurrence. Most tumors are of the high-risk group.