Abstract
Up to half of patients with a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) will present with
metastatic disease, most commonly involving the liver. Prior to the introduction of
tyrosine kinase inhibitors, treatment options were limited for patients with metastatic
GIST to the liver resulting in dismal survival rates. However, with the advent of
effective systemic chemotherapy and continued advancements in both surgical and local
adjunctive therapy options, significant improvements in survival have been achieved.
In this review, the authors characterize the evolution of the treatment approach for
metastatic GIST to the liver, including the roles of both surgical resection and adjunctive
therapies in today's practice.
Keywords
stromal tumors - GIST - metastatic
