Correlation analysis of multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) findings, clinicopathological factors, and prognosis of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors

BACKGROUND: Computed tomography (CT) findings and clinicopathological characteristics of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) have been reported in the past, however, studies on their association with prognosis are limited. We aimed to evaluate the correlation between multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) findings and clinicopathological characteristics for the prognosis of gastric GISTs. Multiple independent factors influencing the prognostic assessment of gastric GISTs were recognized. METHODS: The CT images and clinicopathological data of 155 patients with gastric GISTs were retrospectively analyzed. Progression-free survival of patients was obtained using the Kaplan–Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the prognostic significance of CT imaging and clinicopathological factors. RESULTS: Univariate analysis revealed that patient prognosis was associated with the size, shape, necrosis or cystic degeneration, margin, growth pattern, enhancement pattern, mitotic rate, and Ki-67 index of the tumor. Further, multivariate analysis indicated that tumor size and necrosis or cystic degeneration were significant independent prognostic factors for gastric GISTs. CONCLUSIONS: Tumor shape, necrosis or cystic degeneration, growth pattern, enhancement pattern, and mitotic rate were non-negligible criteria for improving the prognostic accuracy for GISTs, whereas tumor size, margin, and Ki-67 index were significant independent predictors identifying high-risk patients, facilitating personalized treatment to improve the prognosis of gastric GISTs patients. Thus, a combination of MSCT findings and clinicopathological features may be a valuable tool for assessing the prognosis of patients with gastric GISTs.