Case Report: Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding Due to Gastric Ulceration over Intraluminal Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST) at the Fundus of the Stomach
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Abstract
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare mesenchymal neoplasms originating from the interstitial cells of Cajal in the gastrointestinal tract. They can manifest anywhere along the GI tract but are most commonly found in the stomach. GISTs are often asymptomatic, but when symptoms do occur, they may include abdominal pain, gastrointestinal bleeding, or signs of obstruction. In this case, we report on a 70-year-old male who presented with upper gastrointestinal bleeding caused by gastric ulceration over an intraluminal GIST located at the fundus of the stomach. The patient had a history of occasional painless melena over the past month, anemia symptoms, and a significant drop in hemoglobin levels. Despite prior difficulties with anesthesia due to challenging intubation, successful surgical excision of the tumor was achieved after meticulous preoperative preparation. The postoperative course was uneventful, and histopathological examination confirmed a spindle cell type GIST. The patient was subsequently managed according to GIST guidelines with long-term oncological follow-up. This case highlights the clinical presentation, diagnostic challenges, and management strategies for upper gastrointestinal bleeding due to an intraluminal GIST.
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