Asymptomatic Presentation of Large Stomach Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumour (GIST) in an Elderly Patient: A Case Report

Abstract

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract, accounting for approximately 1% of all gastrointestinal cancers. They primarily arise from the interstitial cells of Cajal in the gastrointestinal wall and can occur throughout the digestive tract, most frequently in the stomach. While symptomatic cases often present with gastrointestinal bleeding, obstruction, or abdominal pain, large tumors can remain asymptomatic for long periods, leading to incidental detection. This case report discusses an 80-year-old woman with a 20-year history of a painless upper abdominal mass, initially presenting without gastrointestinal symptoms, obstruction, or constitutional complaints. Imaging suggested a large GIST, and after surgical resection, histopathology confirmed an epithelioid GIST of the stomach. This case highlights the unusual asymptomatic course of a large gastric GIST and discusses the potential complications, such as rupture, obstruction, and pressure effects, that can arise from tumors of this size, underscoring the importance of early detection and management.