Pancreatic Metastasis from Rectal Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor: A Case Report

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors are mesenchymal neoplasms of the gastrointesti- nal tract that originate from all areas of the gastrointestinal tract. Metastases to the liver, peritoneum, bones, lungs and soft tissues have been reported. We present the case of a 47- year-old woman with rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumor that underwent wide local excision. She was treated with imatinib for a few months after surgery. After eight months, she was admitted to the emergency service with complaints of epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting, and anorexia. Imaging studies showed the presence of a pancreatic head tumor and three hepatic masses. The patient underwent exploratory laparatomy. Excisional biopsy of one hepatic mass and core needle biopsy of the pancreatic head mass revealed metastases to the liver and pancreas. During the hospital course the patient's condition deteriorated and she subsequently expired.