Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) in an adolescent

Abstract

Pediatric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are a rare form of GIST that differs in genetic origin and clinical presentation than in adults. Pediatric GIST is a mesenchymal mass that commonly grows in the stomach due to mutations in the SDH gene. Symptomatically, they are typically indolent, occur mostly in girls, and result in chronic gastrointestinal bleeding. We present a rare case of a healthy 16-year old male with pediatric GIST that presented without abdominal symptoms.