Non-GIST Mesenchymal Tumors of the Gastrointestinal Tract

Aim: Mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract other than gastrointestinal stromal tumors are rare and most of them are benign. The aim of this study to reveal the clinical and pathological features of non-gastrointestinal stromal tumor mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract.

Materials and Methods: All gastrointestinal endoscopic and surgical resection materials, between 2008-2018, were retrospectively reviewed. Cases diagnosed with mesenchymal tumor other than gastrointestinal stromal tumors were included.

Results: Twenty four lipomas, 14 inflammatory fibroid polyps, six leiomyomas, four lymphangiomas, four hemangiomas, four schwannomas, two neuromas, two malignant melanomas, one leiomyosarcoma, one granular cell tumor and one Kaposi sarcoma were detected. The median ages of the cases were 61 years (29-87), the median tumor size was 1.5 cm (0.2-14). Thirty seven (58.7%) cases were female and 26 (41.3%) were male. They caused nonspecific symptoms. No recurrence or metastasis was detected after excision in benign tumors regardless of the pathological diagnosis.

Conclusion: Non-gastrointestinal stromal tumor mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract are mostly small and benign tumors that can be seen at any age and are frequently seen in women. The most common ones are lipomas and inflammatory fibroid polyps. Most gastric tumors cause dyspeptic complaints and intestinal tumors cause abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting, as well as some of the intestinal tumors lead to serious, even fatal clinical situations such as acute and chronic bleeding, obstruction, perforation, volvulus or intussusception. For benign tumors’ treatment, excision is sufficient, they do not exhibit recurrence or metastasis.