CASE REPORT


https://doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-10045-00135
The Journal of Medical Sciences
Volume 5 | Issue 4 | Year 2019

Neoadjuvant Imatinib Therapy Followed by Surgery in a Rare Case of Rectal Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor


Ashok Kumar1, Nalinikanta Ghosh2, Ashok Kumar3, Nishant Malviya4

1–4Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India

Corresponding Author: Ashok Kumar, Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India, Phone: +91 5222495537, e-mail: drashok97@gmail.com

How to cite this article Kumar A, Ghosh N, Kumar A, et al. Neoadjuvant Imatinib Therapy Followed by Surgery in a Rare Case of Rectal Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor. J Med Sci 2019;5(4):103–105.

Source of support: Nil

Conflict of interest: None

ABSTRACT

In patients with very low rectal tumors, intersphincteric resection (ISR) helps to preserve anal function. We hereby report our experience of evaluation and successful management in a rare case of rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), wherein we managed a case of rectal GIST with imatinib neoadjuvant followed by surgery and adjuvant therapy.

Keywords: Abdominoperineal resection, Gastrointestinal stromal tumor, Imantinib, Rectal tumor..

INTRODUCTION

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumor of GI (gastrointestinal) tract. It arises from the interstitial cells of cajal.1 It can arise from any site of the GI tract. The stomach is the most common site; however, it can arise from any site of GI tract and rarely involves the anorectal region.2 The incidence of anorectal GIST is 0.018 per 100,000; this comprises about 2.8% of all GISTs.3 GIST at other locations had worse prognosis compared to that in the stomach.4 Surgery is the mainstay of treatment as it is resistant to conventional chemotherapy. However, tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as imatinib mesylate can be used in a neoadjuvant or adjuvant setting.5 Margin-free resection is the goal. Anatomical factors in the pelvic area lead to recurrence. There are few case reports and small series in the literature regarding the successful use of imatinib in the neoadjuvant setting followed by surgery. Here we are reporting a case of malignant GIST of lower rectum who was managed with abdominoperineal resection following neoadjuvant imatinib therapy and achieved a recurrence-free survival after 4 years of follow-up.

CASE DESCRIPTION

Our patient was a 64-year-old male. He presented with complaints of bleeding in the rectum for the last 6 months. It was fresh blood alongside stool and was not associated with any postural symptoms; however, it was associated with tenesmus and occasional incontinence to flatus and stool. There was occasional colicky abdominal pain with distension which relieved after passage of flatus and stool. He had a loss of appetite and insignificant weight loss. There was no history of hematemesis, jaundice, respiratory distress, bony pain, or altered mental status. His bladder habit was normal. He had no comorbidities or any addictions. He had no cervical, axillary, or inguinal lymphadenopathy. Abdomen was soft, and there was no palpable lump or organomegaly. Digital rectal examination revealed a firm growth starting 1.5 cm from anal verge from the 4 to 8 o’clock position and the finger was not negotiable beyond the growth. The tumor was immobile and bleeding on touch. With the above history and clinical examination, diagnosis of a rectal growth was made. His hemogram, liver function test, renal function test, and coagulation parameters were within normal limits. Colonoscopy revealed an ulcerated growth at 3 cm from the anal verge and extending up to 7 cm. The rest of the colon was normal. Biopsy revealed malignant GIST. It was positive for CD 117, CD 34, and S-100 with a mitotic activity of 35/50 HPF (high power field). Ki-67 index was 15%. It was negative for vimentin, SMA, and desmin. Contrast enhanced CT and MRI pelvis showed an 8 × 8.5 × 8.1 cm heterogeneously enhancing exophytic mass lesion with central areas of necrosis in the distal one-third of the rectum and involving anorectal junction. There were few subcentimetric perirectal nodes (Figs 1 and 2). Adjacent structures e.g., prostate and seminal vesicles, were free. In view of sphincter involvement, neoadjuvant imatinib was prescribed for 6 months. The disease was stable according to the Choi response criteria. He was scheduled for surgery and underwent abdominoperineal resection. Intraoperatively, there was no signs of dissemination and the liver was normal. Intraoperative, hypogastric nerves and ureters were identified and preserved. There was a bulky tumor of about 1 cm from the anal verge involving posterior and right lateral wall. The coccyx was removed. There was no tumor perforation. The cut section showed a 9 × 8 cm polypoidal mass with a distal margin of 1 cm and proximal margin >5 cm (Fig. 3). The rest of the mucosa was normal. Histopathology revealed a 9.7 × 7.2 cm growth and margins were free. Tumor was reactive for c-kit, DOG-1, and CD34. Ki 67 index was 20–30%. It was negative for cytokeratin and desmin. Postoperatively, the stoma started functioning from day 3 and he tolerated enteral fluids and feeds well. On postoperative follow-up, no urinary or sexual dysfunctions were noted. He was prescribed imatinib 400 mg once a day for the next 3 years. After 4 years of follow-up, he is doing well and there was no evidence of recurrence of the disease.

Fig. 1: CECT of the abdomen showing a large heterogeneously enhancing mass lesion arising from the posterior wall of the lower rectum with significantly narrowing lumen and indistinct fat planes

DISCUSSION

GIST is the most common mesenchymal tumor of the GI tract. The stomach is the most common site of involvement, followed by the small intestine. Although it can involve any part of the GI tract, the rectum is rarely involved. Anorectal GIST is most commonly seen in males and in older aged population (>60 years). The prognosis depends upon the site of involvement.6 Surgery with the goal of achieving R0 resection is the key. Standard antitumor chemotherapy and radiotherapy are ineffective. These tumors respond to tyrosine kinase inhibitors, i.e., imatinib, sunitinib, and regorafenib. These agents are used as adjuvants in the case of high-risk tumors for recurrence-free survival.7 These agents can be used in neoadjuvant setting to downstage the tumor and for sphincter preservation in anorectal GIST. There are various case series of rectal GIST operated after neoadjuvant imatinib in the literature, and in some of them the sphincter could be preserved (Table 1). In our case, neoadjuvant imatinib, 400 mg once a day, was prescribed for 6 months, and there was no significant improvement. Therefore abdominoperineal resection was done. There are few case reports from India, but imatinib was not used in the neoadjuvant setting.810 This is the first case wherein neoadjuvant imatinib was used before surgery and a recurrence-free survival after 4 years could be achieved.

Fig. 2: MRI pelvis T2-weighed image showing a large heterogeneously enhancing mass lesion involving rectum and anorectal junction, central necrotic area within lesion, and fat with prostate are maintained

Fig. 3: Image of gross specimen showing a bulky tumor with central umbilication present about 1 cm above the anal verge involving posterior wall

Table 1: Studies on rectal GIST
AuthorYearNo. of casesNeoadjuvantSurgerySurvival
Sotiropoulos GC20171NoLocal excisionNo recurrence at 3 years
Osama Eldamshety20172Yes (1 case)Local excision (TAMIS)No recurrence at 10 months
Akiyoshi Takashi20143YesLaparoscopic local excision with rectoanal anastomosisNo recurrence at 3 months
Fujimoto Y20143YesLap ISRNo recurrence at 4 years
Sanjeev Singhal20131NoAPR
Kumar M20131NoAPR
Wang JP20113YesTransanal excision and coloanal anastomosisNo recurrence at 28 months follow-up
Kyu Jong Yoon20112YesUltralow ARNo recurrence at 6 months follow-up
Machlenkin S20109YesSurgeryThree patients had recurrence at median follow-up of 32 months
Garima Mehta1020101NoAPR
Ying-Yong Hou20091YesSegmental resection of colorectumNo recurrence at 57 months
Yuma Ebihara20081YesAPRNo recurrence at 24 months

ISR, intersphincter resection; APR, abdominoperineal resection; TAMIS, transanal minimal invasive surgery; Ultralow AR, ultralow anterior resection

CONCLUSION

Imatinib can be used in the neoadjuvant setting of anorectal GIST to downstage the tumor. It could help to achieve sphincter preservation. Further, randomized large-scale studies are required to know its neoadjuvant and sphincter sparing action. This neoadjuvant therapy could be combined with other modalities of surgical resection of the tumor by using laparoscopy or robotics so that the anal function can be preserved.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Complete surgical resection with negative tumor margins is the key, and there is also a definite role of imatinib in the form of neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy for better and disease-free survival.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I wish to thank Prof VK Kapoor, professor and unit head of the Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India, for guiding us and for his moral support and motivation.

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