Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor

Abstract

A 60-year-old female initially presented to a local urgent care center complaining of abdominal pain. Ultimately, an abdominal CT scan was obtained revealing a large upper abdominal mass of uncertain origin. The patient was referred to the regional academic medical center for possible surgical intervention. On evaluation, she complained of a two to three month history of early satiety, bloating, nausea, and intermittent abdominal pain. Her past medical history was significant for hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Her mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer at 62 years old, and there was no other family history of cancer. On physical examination, a left upper quadrant mass was palpable without associated tenderness. Review of the outside imaging confirmed a heterogeneous upper abdominal mass measuring 20 ?× ?17 cm. The origin of the tumor was difficult to ascertain but was considered possibly pancreatic or retroperitoneal. Laboratory data showed normal carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels. An image-guided percutaneous needle biopsy was scheduled.