Publication:

Gastrointestinal stromal tumour of larynx: a case report

Gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GITs) are the most common mesenchymal tumours of GI tract and occur mostly in stomach, small intestine and rarely in omentum, mesentery, retroperitoneum. These tumours arise from interstitial cells of cajal due to mutations in KIT (CD117) or PDGFRA. GIST most commonly present in the stomach (60%) or small intestine (20 to 30%) and may rarely occur extra gastro intestinally like omentum, mesentery or retro peritoneum. The 30% of GIST are malignant and common metastatic sites are liver, mesentery and omentum, lung, lymph node, bone, pancreas, colon are less common metastatic sites. Ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), CT, PET CT, endoscopy, endoscopy guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) or core biopsy are used modalities for diagnosis. GISTs are diagnosed by immunohistochemical methods. Surgical resection (open/ laparoscopic/ combined laparoscopic-endoscopic) is the main curative treatment. Most recurrences occurred within first 5yrs and a close follow up is required for early detection of relapses. Imatinib mesylate showed better response in advanced cases and recurrent cases. So far, there has been one publication found regarding gastointestinal stromal tumours occurring in vocal cords and one literature GIST of rectum with larynx metastasis. This current case report is regarding GIST occurring in vocal cords and its management. Further studies need to be conducted for better management options and to know the prognosis in such cases.