Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The term Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST) was coined in 1983. Rectal GIST is a rare disease. Imatinib with curative resection is the cornerstone for the management of the disease.
METHODOLOGY: It’s a retrospective case series of two patients treated at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (SKMCH&RC).
RESULTS: Two patients presented at SKMCH&RC with history of perianal pain. Diagnostic workup was performed. MRI showed rectal mass which was confirmed as rectal GIST on biopsy. CD117 was positive in both cases. Metastatic workup was negative. One patient received neoadjuvant imatinib, the other underwent upfront surgery. Both patients received adjuvant imatinib. One patient with a closed resection margin had recurrence after 5 years of treatment. She underwent surgical resection for recurrence. Both of the patients are now alive without disease.
CONCLUSION: Although this data is first to be reported from this part of the world, however, due to the small number of reported patients, this study cannot be used as a guideline for the management of disease

Key words: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors, Gastrointestinal stromal tumor of rectum, Rare cancer of rectum, GIST, Rare site of GIST