Published online Sep 28, 2021. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i36.6128
Peer-review started: June 19, 2021
First decision: July 14, 2021
Revised: July 26, 2021
Accepted: August 13, 2021
Article in press: August 13, 2021
Published online: September 28, 2021
Processing time: 95 Days and 15 Hours
Synchronous primary multiple gastrointestinal stromal tumors (MGISTs) are specific and rare. The diagnosis, treatment and follow-up strategies of MGISTs are not specifically described in guidelines.
Due to the low incidence, there is currently no large-scale demographic survey showing the incidence of MGISTs. Additionally, little is known about the impact of MGISTs on the survival of patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs).
This study aimed to compare the clinicopathological characteristics and prognoses of patients with MGISTs and patients with solitary GISTs (SGISTs).
Due to the inhomogeneous distribution of several baseline characteristics and uneven MGIST and SGIST group sizes, propensity score matching was performed according to comorbidities, body mass index, tumor location, mitotic index, sex, age and American Society of Anesthesiologists score.
Among the entire cohort, the incidence of MGISTs was 4.17%. Patients with MGISTs and those with SGISTs had disparities in body mass index, surgical approach, tumor size and mitotic index. Tumor location, tumor size, mitotic index, imatinib treatment and MGISTs were identified as independent prognostic factors of progression-free survival. However, overall survival was similar between the SGIST and MGIST groups.
Patients with MGISTs may have demographic characteristics and immunohistochemical markers that are similar to those of patients with SGISTs, but MGIST patients also have unique tumor features. Without specific diagnostic indicators and symptoms, patients with MGISTs were identified as having a poorer progression-free survival than patients with SGISTs.
Risk criteria, diagnostic strategies and treatment procedures suitable for these tumors of lower morbidity should be developed to achieve personalized precision therapy and maximize the survival benefit of these patients.