Endoscopic approach to GIST: Diagnostic aspects and limits

GISTs (gastrointestinal stromal tumors) are a specific clinical- pathological entity whose distinctiveness is the c-kit expression. The "submucosal" origin of the lesion is supposed by endoscopy and confirmed by endoscopic ultrasound. Malignant echoendoscopic features are: tumors size greater than 4 cm, irregular border, echogenic foci and cystic spaces. Surgical resection remains the primary treatment even if new drugs have been introduced.