Feasibility and oncological outcomes of limited duodenal resection in patients with primary nonmetastatic duodenal GIST.

Background: Duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare but still represent approximately 30 % of primary duodenal tumors. This study aimed to audit the feasibility and oncological outcomes of limited duodenal resection in patients with primary nonmetastatic duodenal GIST.

Methods: Twelve patients who underwent surgery at our institution since 2002 were prospectively followed up. The duodenal GISTs were located in the first (n = 3), second (n = 1), third (n = 3), and fourth of duodenum (n = 1). Involving both D1/D2 (n = 2), D2/D3 (n = 1), and D3/D4 (n = 1). The primary endpoint for this analysis was disease-free survival.

Results: The commonest presentation was melena and anemia (83 %). All the patients underwent limited resection; six wedge resections with primary closures and six segmental resections with end-to-end anastomosis. The median tumor size was 8 cm (range, 5-16 cm). According to Fletcher scale, two GISTs were low risk, while 10 patients were intermediate and high risk. The latter received adjuvant therapy. All the patients had a complete resection with no postoperative mortality. One patient had three liver metastases 4 months after limited resection and had partial hepatectomy. After median follow-up of 45 (15-78) months, all patients are alive and disease free.

Conclusions: When technically feasible, limited resection should be considered a reliable and curative option for duodenal GIST achieving satisfactory disease-free survival. The technical feasibility is guided by the tumor size, possible adjacent organ involvement, and its exact anatomical location.