Clinicopathological features and treatment outcome of oesophageal gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST): A large, retrospective multicenter European study

Abstract Background Oesophageal gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) account for ≤1% of all GISTs. Consequently, evidence to guide clinical decision-making is limited. Methods Clinicopathological features and outcomes in patients with primary oesophageal GIST from seven European countries were collected retrospectively. Results Eighty-three patients were identified, and median follow up was 55.0 months. At diagnosis, 59.0% had localized disease, 25.3% locally advanced and 13.3% synchronous metastasis. A biopsy (Fine Needle aspiration n = 29, histological biopsy n = 31) was performed in 60 (72.3%) patients. The mitotic count was low ( 5/5hpf) mitotic count were associated with worse disease free survival. Conclusion Based on the current study enucleation can be recommended for oesophageal GIST smaller than 4 cm, while oesophagectomy should be preserved for larger tumours. Patients with larger tumours (>4 cm) and/or high mitotic count should be treated with adjuvant therapy.