Dramatic regression and bleeding of a duodenal GIST during preoperative imatinib therapy: case report and review

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal wall. Originating in the muscular wall of the viscera proliferating cells of a GIST show phenotypic similarities to the interstitial cells of Cajal, which coordinate the peristaltic movements of the gastrointestinal tract [1, 2]. GISTs are defined as mesenchymal, spindle-shaped tumors, which can be distinguished from other soft tissue tumors like leiomyomas, myoblastomas etc. by c-kit protooncogen (CD117) expression [3]. With 33-63% the stomach is the most common site for a GIST, followed by the small intestine (23-38%) and the colorectal localization (5-32%). In contrast GISTs of the duodenum, as presented in this case report, are very rare.

Clinical studies demonstrated that with imatinib (STI 571, Gleevec, Novartis Pharma) objective responses can be reached in more then 50% of patients with an advanced GIST. Unresectable locally advanced tumors, recurrent or metastatic GISTs showed longer progression-free survival under imatinib therapy [4‐6]. All in all 80-90% of the patients with GISTs showed at least a partial tumor response [7]. After retrospective small-institutional reports and case series the neoadjuvant use of imatinib in GIST was first evaluated in the RTOG 0132/ACRIN 6665 study. Eisenberg recently published first results underlining the safety of imatinibmesylate in treatment of GISTs [8]. In another study 3% of the probands treated with imatinib developed complications caused by rupture of large tumor masses which became necrotic unter pharmacotherapy [9]. These data correspond to complication rates described in the STI 571 study [9, 10]. To the best of our knowledge these complication rates only referred to common tumor localizations, but not to uncommon GIST sites as duodenum, rectum or others [8].

We herein report a case of a patients with a giant GIST of the duodenum. After neoadjuvant imatinib therapy was initiated, a dramatic tumor regression led to an upper gastrointestinal bleeding and an emergency laparotomy.

The 58-year-old female patient was hospitalized due to recurrent episodes of upper abdominal pain, anemia, weight loss, fatigue and fever attacks. Under suspicion of a duodenal perforation by a lymphoma or GIST, seen in an ultrasound examination, the patient was transferred to our clinic.

Physical examination of the patient with no history of preexisting diseases revealed a palpable mass in the right upper abdominal quadrant. Hemoglobin was 90 g/l.

Upper endoscopy revealed a large necrotic cavity in the inferior part of the duodenum. Multiple biopsies taken from the tumor mass confirmed the suspicion of a duodenal GIST. PET-CT scan showed a 9 × 9 × 15 cm tumor mass arising from the duodenum with a maximal standard uptake value (SUV) of 15,5. The tumor had contact to the pancreatic caput and led to compression of the inferior caval vein and the inferior mesenterial vein. The portal vein as well as the common hepatic artery and the superior mesenterial artery showed no signs of infiltration or compression. Furthermore PET-CT did not reveal any signs of metastasis. According to a neoadjuvant approach preoperative therapy with imatinib (Gleevec, Novartis, Basel, Switzerland), 400 mg per day, was initiated immediately. Responder controll by PET-CT scan was planned to be performed 4 weeks after initiation of the therapy. After 2 weeks under ambulatory pharmacological therapy the patient presented in the emergency room with an acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding. CT confirmed a dramatic bleeding from the upper GI tract necessitating mass blood transfusion (Fig. 1). Tumor size decreased to 7 × 8 × 12 cm within only 2 weeks of imatinib treatment. An angiographic CT showed the diffuse tumor bleeding supplied by the gastroduodenal artery and some branches of the superior mesenterial artery. The diffuse bleeding forbade a coiling of the vessels. During the emergency laparotomy an encapsulated tumor mass could be identified, originating from the descendent part of the duodenum and reaching both the pancreatic caput and the right flexure of the colon. Obviously the giant tumor had led to a bleeding by arrosion of peripancreatic vessels. After ligation of the vessels supplying the mass a partial pancreaticoduodenectomy (Traverso-Longmire) was performed to resect the tumor (Fig. 2). Additionally a resection of the right hemicolon was performed due to tumor infiltration of the right curvature of the colon. Continuity was reconstructed by gastrojejunostomy (Traverso-Longmire) on the one hand and an end-to-side-pancreaticojejunostomy on the other hand. An ileotransversostomy was performed to reconstruct the gastrointestinal passage.

Upon macroscopic examination the specimen showed a partially necrotic mesenchymal mass with a diameter of 9 cm, an infiltration of the duodenal wall leading to ulceration and perforation, an infiltration of the pancreas and two peripankreatic tumor islands (Fig. 2). There were no signs of metastases in locoregional lymphnodes. Histological examination of the tumour tissue revealed the typical appearance of a GIST composed of cells with spindle-shaped nuclei (Fig.3D). Immunohistochemically the tumour cells showed an expression of Vimentin (Fig. 3C) and CD117 (Fig. 3E), a focal expression of CD34, smooth-muscle-actin (not shown) and a nuclear expression of the proliferation-associated Ki-67-antigen in approximately 5-10% of the tumour cells (Fig. 3F). The tumour was negative for S-100 and Keratin (not shown).

Two days after surgery the patient was weaned and successfully extubated. After an uneventfull recovery the patient is alive and without any signs of tumor recurrence. Up to the follow-up of 19 months the patient permanently received an adjuvant imtinib therapy (400 mg per day).

GISTs are defined as mesenchymal tumors arising from the gastrointestinal wall, mesentery, omentum or retroperitoneum. In contrast to leiomyo(sarko)mas GIST cells express the c-kit proto-oncogene (CD117). Distribution of GIST in the gastrointestinal tract was analyzed in several studies. Tumors are mostly localized in the stomach (33-63%), small bowel (23-38%), whereas colon, rectum and esophagus are rare localizations. The female patient of this case report presented with a duodenal GIST as another rare GIST manifestation. Except for one large study on the histopathological pattern of duodenal GIST [11] only two studies with 8 and 15 patients respectively are published so far [12, 13] analyzing the clinic and the outcome of duodenal GIST patients. Compared to other tumor localizations duodenal GISTs manifestate with tumor-associated bleeding in 90 resp. 75% compared to 54% (stomach) [14] and 28% (ileo-jejunal) [15]. In contrast to other localizations duodenal GISTs are thus associated with a dramatically increased risk of an upper intestinal bleeding [11].

Nowadays the dignity of resected tumors is classified in risk categories that are based on size and mitotic rate mainly: In a consensus approach Fletcher et al. came to the result that tumor size (>5 cm) and mitotic activity (>5/50 high-power field) of the mesenchymal cells are the most important independent prognostic factors for tumor progression [3]. In our case postoperative examination of the specimen revealed a tumor mass of 9 × 15 cm in diameter. Ki67 was used as an immunhistochemical marker for cell proliferation. 5-10% of the tumor cells were Ki67⁺. Histopathological examination revealed a rate of 12 mitoses per 50 high power fields. Following the above-mentioned classification our patient fulfilled all criteria of a malignant tumor progress.

Surgical therapy of duodenal GIST depends on tumor localization and is either partial duodenectomy, or partial pancreaticoduodenectomy. Interestingly, a recent study revealed that duodenal GIST cells express a different pattern of immunhistochemical markers [16]. Additionally authors showed that duodenal GIST are associated with a more favorable prognosis compared to other tumor localizations. [16]. After review of recent literature the duodenal tumor localization in our case is thus associated with a better prognosis, but with an increased bleeding probability. These results are in line with the authors' opinion that primary surgery could be the safest therapeutic option for a GIST of this localization. Beside the increased risk of tumor bleeding, caused by the localization, neoadjuvant imatinib therapy would additionally lead to a higher percentage of patients with a tumor bleeding.

Without any pre- or postoperative pharmacotherapy complete surgical resection can lead to a 5 year survival of up to 45% [17]. The introduction of imatinib mesylate, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting KIT has provided a much needed chemotherapeutical option for patients with both resectable and irresectable GISTs. Despite the noted success of imatinib surgical resection is the main treatment modality for primary GIST of any localization. Imatinib treatment of GISTs is a dynamic process with the permanent risk of pharmacoresistance [4, 18] and a maximal respondance within the first 6 months of therapy [4]. Nevertheless the benefit of adjuvant imatinib for primary GIST has been underlined by several trials completed recently. As a consequence surgeons started to use imatinib in a neoadjuvant therapy to reach tumor-downsizing and thus increased rates of complete tumor resection.

As mentioned above complications like tumor necrosis and tumor bleeding occurr in 3% of patients under imatinib therapy. These data are in line with results of the STI 571 study. In the prospective RTOG study Eisenberg reports on a minimal rate of toxicity or of intraooperative complications under neoadjuvant imatinib therapy in 30 cases [8]. Nevertheless only 1 of 30 patients with imatinib therapy prior to surgery had a duodenal GIST [8]. It thus remains unclear, if the high safety of imatinib can be transferred to patients with GISTs at rare tumor localizations. Alternatively primary surgery should be seen as an alternative therapeutic approach. In cases of duodenal GIST primary surgery could be supported by a preoperative transarterial embolization as published previously [19].

(1) The review of literature reveals a higher rate of tumor bleeding as primary tumor manifestation in cases of duodenal GIST. (2) Beside the rare and uncommon localization we describe the case of a giant GIST of highest malignancy according to the classification of Fletcher et al.(3). Imatinib led to revolutionary changes in therapy of primary and metastatic GIST, but is associated with rapid tumor regression, necrosis and tumor bleeding in 3%. For the case presented a higher complication rate is to be exspected.

In GIST patients with these localizations and thus an increased risk of tumor bleeding neoadjuvant imatinib therapy should thoroughly be performed during hospitalization. In cases of duodenal GIST primary surgery should be considered as treatment alternative.

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this case report and accompanying images. A copy of the written consent is available for review by the Editor-in-Chief of this journal.