Pancreatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor: A case report

INTRODUCTION: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common gastrointestinal tract (GIT) tumors of mesenchymal origin. GISTs tend to arise with a higher frequency in the stomach and the small intestine. GISTs that originate from outside of the GIT are defined as extra-gastrointestinal stromal tumors (EGISTs). Among them pancreatic EGISTs are very rare. CASE PRESENTATION: A 30 years old male patient presented with abdominal pain. Triphasic abdominal computed tomography scan with contrast revealed large well defined mass at the pancreatic tail, about 12 × 11.6 cm. Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy was performed. Postoperative pathological examination revealed positive CD 117 and Dog 1 confirming the diagnosis of EGISTs. DISCUSSION: GIST is a rare mesenchymal tumor. EGISTs arising in the pancreas are extremely rare, about, 5% of EGISTs. Its origin remains controversial. Some authors believe that GISTs and EGISTs arise from the common cell origin of interstitial cells of Cajal. Others suggest that EGISTs are at the beginning, mural GISTs with extensive extramural growth, resulting in later on, loss of their connection with the GIT wall. CONCLUSION: We report a rare case of large pancreatic tail EGIST, which was resected, safely and effectively by laparoscopic approach.