• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.83 no.2
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• pp.400-405
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• 2022

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are not uncommon and often cause gastrointestinal bleeding. GISTs occurring in the small intestine are occasionally difficult to identify by endoscopy and CT. In this case, the patient underwent CT three times before surgery, and the lesion was found to be located in a different area of the abdominal cavity on each CT scan. Moreover, the lesion was missed in the first two CT images because it was difficult to distinguish it from the nearby collapsed small intestine. The lesion was eventually detected through angiography; however, the correct diagnosis and treatment were delayed for 3 years because it was mistaken for a vascular malformation, which is the most common cause of obscure GI bleeding in elderly patients. This report emphasizes the need for interventional radiologists to be updated and vigilant of the angiographic features of GISTs to make an accurate diagnosis and establish a management strategy.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.87-91
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• 2003

Currently gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumors are divided into three major categories: myogenic tumors(leiomyoma, leiomyosarcoma), neurogenic tumors (schwannomas) and neoplasms that belong to neither group, which are known by GIST(gastrointestinal stromal tumors). The stromal tumors are hetrogenous, so that they may show myogenic or neurogenic differentiation or both, or no differentiation at all in some patients. The best defining feature for GIST is their expression of KIT-protein(CD117). Leiomyomas are the most common mesenchymal tumor in esophagus. Esophageal GISTS are very rare in comparision to those of the stomach and intestine. Recently we experieneced one case of the esophageal GIST, so that we describe an esophageal GIST on immunohistochemical analysis. A 70 years old woman complained of dysphagia and nausea for 3 days. FGS showed a huge elevated lesion in lower esophagus 33cm distal to incisor, which was covered with normal mucosa. CT and UGI showed the intramural tumor of lower third of the esophagus. The distal esophagectomy and esophago-gastrostomy were performed. The tumor was located in lower third of esophagus and measured as $6{\times}3.7$cm in size. Immunohistochemically, it showed weakly positive CD117 and diffusely positive S-100. SMA, desmin, NES and chromogranin showed negative immune-reaction. The patient was followed for 15 month after operation. There was no recurrence.

• The Korean journal of helicobacter and upper gastrointestinal research
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.264-270
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• 2018

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is a mesenchymal tumor derived from Cajal cells originating from the myotonic plexus. The expression of tyrosine kinase (KIT) membrane receptors that are active on KIT is inhibited by the KIT inhibitor imatinib mesylate. GISTs are resistant to conventional chemotherapy, and radiation therapy is not significantly beneficial for GISTs. With the development of imatinib mesylate, approximately 81.6% of patients with advanced and metastatic GIST exhibit an effect above the stabilization response, thereby increasing the survival time. However, imatinib mesylate alone is unlikely to cure metastatic GISTs. Even with a partial or stable response, imatinib mesylate may be used for a longer time period. However, resection of grossly visible lesions should be considered for patients with a stable response during surgical treatment. In this study, we present a case of GIST with liver metastasis after imatinib mesylate treatment, which was followed up without recurrence after partial resection.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.205-215
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• 2013

Most terminally ill cancer patients experience various physical and psychological symptoms during their illness. In addition to pain, they commonly suffer from fatigue, anorexia-cachexia syndrome, nausea, vomiting and dyspnea. In this paper, I reviewed some of the common non-pain symptoms in terminally ill cancer patients, based on the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines to better understand and treat cancer patients. Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a common symptom in terminally ill cancer patients. There are reversible causes of fatigue, which include anemia, sleep disturbance, malnutrition, pain, depression and anxiety, medical comorbidities, hyperthyroidism and hypogonadism. Energy conservation and education are recommended as central management for CRF. Corticosteroid and psychostimulants can be used as well. The anorexia and cachexia syndrome has reversible causes and should be managed. It includes stomatitis, constipation and uncontrolled severe symptoms such as pain or dyspnea, delirium, nausea/vomiting, depression and gastroparesis. To manage the syndrome, it is important to provide emotional support and inform the patient and family of the natural history of the disease. Megesteol acetate, dronabinol and corticosteroid can be helpful. Nausea and vomiting will occur by potentially reversible causes including drug consumption, uremia, infection, anxiety, constipation, gastric irritation and proximal gastrointestinal obstruction. Metoclopramide, haloperidol, olanzapine and ondansetron can be used to manage nausea and vomiting. Dyspnea is common even in terminally ill cancer patients without lung disease. Opioids are effective for symptomatic management of dyspnea. To improve the quality of life for terminally ill cancer patients, we should try to ameliorate these symptoms by paying more attention to patients and understanding of management principles.