Abstract

Gastrointestinal (Gl) stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumors specific to the Gl tract, generally defined as KIT (CD117)- positive tumors with a characteristic set of histologic features. These tumors, derived from Cajal cells or their precursors, most commonly occur at the age > 50 years in the stomach (60%), jejenum and ileum (30%), duodenum (4-5%), rectum (4%), colon and appendix (1-2%), and esophagus (< 1%), and rarely as apparent primary extragastrointestinal tumors in the vicinity of stomach or intestines. Their overall incidence has been estimated as 10 to 20 per million. The most frequent complications associated with GISTs are obstructions and hemorrhages. Surgical resection is the primary treatment of GISTs. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are generally ineffective. Continuous postoperative follow-up is necessary, becouse most recurrences ocur within the fırst 2 years after complete surgical resection. Our case was a 63 years old male patient. He had an operation for an intestinal tumor in October 2003. The histological exa-mination revealed malignant gastrointestinal stromal tumor. He had no radiotherapy and chemotherapy. He had 4 years follovv-up without any problem. İn January 2007, he had a 3*3 cm right cervical mass. Cervical MRI showed a tumor on 5th cervical vertebra. He had a biopsy and its examination revealed gastrointestinal stromal tumor.