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. 2019 Mar 28;145(6):1559–1568. doi: 10.1007/s00432-019-02853-y

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) with remarkable cystic change: a specific subtype of GISTs with relatively indolent behaviors and favorable prognoses

Anwei Xue 1,#, Wei Yuan 2,#, Xiaodong Gao 1, Yong Fang 1, Ping Shu 1, Chen Xu 2, He Li 1, Yifang Xu 2, Qi Song 2, Yingyong Hou 2,, Kuntang Shen 1,
PMCID: PMC6527525  PMID: 30923944

Abstract

Purpose

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are typically solid neoplasms with small cystic change detected occasionally but in rare instances may present predominantly as cystic lesions. The histopathologic features and prognoses of cystic GISTs (cGISTs) are poorly understood.

Methods

We herein reviewed 20 cGISTs resected or consulted in our institution from January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2014.

Results

Of the 20 patients included, the mean age was 61 years and the male-to-female ratio was 9:11. The original locations were the stomach (n = 10, 50%), the small intestine (n = 9, 45%) and the omentum (n = 1, 5%). Indistinct diagnosis or misdiagnosis was established in 15 cases based only on preoperative radiology. Grossly, the cystic component made up the bulk of masses and was filled by dark bloody fluid and necrotic debris in 18 cases. Microscopically, cyst wall was composed of neoplastic spindle (n = 14, 70%)/epithelioid cells (n = 6, 30%) and collagenous fiber, with necrotic debris and granulation tissue lining on the inner surface. cGISTs resembled their solid counterparts in terms of morphology and immunohistology but demonstrated fewer malignant parameters. c-kit or PDGFRα mutations were detected in eleven cases with the remaining being wild type for these two mutations. Although classified as intermediate or high (3 and 17, respectively) risk of recurrence according to modified National Institute of Health criterion, most patients with cGISTs experienced long-term recurrence-free survival without adjuvant imatinib.

Conclusions

Cystic GISTs is a relatively indolent subset of GISTs with favorable prognoses and adjuvant imatinib should be a prudent consideration.

Keywords: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors, Cystic change, Prognosis

Introduction

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) represent the most common mesenchymal tumors arising from the digestive tract, with an estimated annual incidence of 10–20 per million individuals in western countries (Corless 2014). The majority of GISTs are located in the stomach (60–70%), small intestine (25–35%) and duodenum (5%) (Miettinen and Lasota 2006). Immunohistochemical and ultramicrostructural findings indicate that GISTs may originate from the intestinal cells of Cajal, which serve as pacemakers for peristaltic contractions (Kindblom et al. 1998). About 85–95% of GISTs harbor activating mutations in c-kit or PDGFRα that drives the pathogenesis and progression of the disease (Fletcher et al. 2002; Heinrich et al. 2003). Imatinib mesylate, which targets KIT and PDGFRα, has emerged as an effective therapeutic alternative for advanced GISTs while surgical resection remains the mainstay treatment for resectable ones (von Mehren et al. 2018).

GISTs are typically solid, sometimes with small cystic area developed, but rarely manifest as predominant cystic neoplasms. To date, reports of this uncommon form of GISTs have comprised mostly case reports focusing mainly on its clinical and radiographic features (Hamza et al. 2016; Okano et al. 2015; Shaikh et al. 2015; Sun et al. 2016; Takahashi et al. 2010; Wang et al. 2017; Zhu et al. 2014). There is very limited information in the literature relating to the pathologic features and prognoses of GISTs undergoing extensive cystic change. To better elucidate the characteristics of such lesions, we herein undertook this study of the clinical and morphologic features, the prognoses, and the mutational status of 20 affected patients.

Materials and methods

Study approval was obtained from the institutional review board at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University. Surgical pathology database and consultation files of our hospital were queried for GISTs with cystic change from January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2014. The diagnosis of “cystic gastrointestinal stromal tumors (cGISTs)” was established if the proportion of cystic component was larger than 75% and cyst wall was relatively regular by corresponding gross reports and/or preoperative radiology reports. A total of 20 cases were retrieved, 10 from the surgical pathology database and 10 from the consultation files. Patient variables included age, sex, symptoms on presentation, preoperative radiology and medical history.

Gross pathology reports were assessed for location, size, whether unilocular or multilocular, cystic fluid and septa thickness of the tumor. Hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides or corresponding scanned photographs were reviewed by two experienced pathologists for cellular type (spindle, epithelioid or mixed), cellularity, nuclear atypia, mitotic activity (number of mitoses per 50 high power fields). Lymph node metastasis, vascular, fat, nerve or mucosal infiltration, mitoses ≥ 10/50 HPF, muscularis propria infiltration, coagulative necrosis, perivascular pattern and severe nuclear atypia were considered as malignant biological behaviors and evaluated in all cases (Hou et al. 2009a, b).

Immunohistochemistry of CD117, desmin and CD34 were performed in all cases using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sectioned at 4 µm while S-100, SMA and DOG-1 immunostain were available for analysis in a varying number of cases. Selected mutation hotspots in c-kit exons 9, 11, 13 and 17 as well as PDGFRα exons 12, 14 and 18 were examined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Sanger sequencing.

To compare the prognostic factors and outcomes between solid and cystic GISTs, our surgical pathology database was searched for solid GISTs of comparable external size and resected during the same period. Finally, 200 counterparts were identified and clinicopathological characteristics were compared using Chi square test or non-parametric test. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) was defined as the period between surgical resection and radiologic evidence of recurrence. Survival curves were computed by Kaplan–Meier product limit method with intergroup difference compared by log-rank test. All the tests were two-sided and statistical significance was defined as a P value < 0.05.

Results

Clinical features

Clinical and follow-up data are summarized in Table 1. Of the 20 patients included in this study, 9 were males and 11 females, with a mean age of 61 years (range 31–73 years) at diagnosis. Clinical presentations were known in 16 patients: 5 patients presented with abdominal pain or discomfort, 4 had gastrointestinal bleeding and 2 presented with abdominal mass. The remaining 5 patients were discovered incidentally by physical or imaging examinations for other reasons. The original location of cGISTs were the stomach in ten patients, the jejunum or ileum in seven, the duodenum in two and the omentum in one. Preoperative computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reports were available for all patients but did not provide robust evidence for differential diagnosis with other cystic lesions. cGISTs usually demonstrated as an exophytic, well-defined, low-density mass with peripheral enhancement on contrast imaging (Fig. 1a, b). Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) was performed only in 1 patient and showed a hypoechoic structure arising from the fourth layer of the stomach.

Table 1.

Clinical and follow-up information of 20 cases of cGIST

Case Age (years)/sex Clinical presentation Radiologic findings Location Treatment Follow-up (months) Status
1 66M NA Abdominal occupying lesion Small intestine Laparotomy 60 ANED
2 71F Gastrointestinal bleeding Abdominal occupying lesion Stomach Laparotomy 143 ANED
3 55F Abdominal discomfort Occupying lesion between liver and stomach Stomach Laparotomy 103 ANED
4 42M NA Abdominal occupying lesion Small intestine Laparotomy 128 ANED
5 50F Gastrointestinal bleeding Occupying lesion in the head of pancreas: GISTs? Duodenum Laparotomy 128 ANED
6 71F Incidental findings during examination for cystic disease of kidney Cystic lesion in the tail of pancreas Stomach Laparotomy 123 ANED
7 35F Abdominal mass Ovarian cyst Small intestine

Laparotomy+

Imatinib

39 ANED
8 73F Incidental finding during examination for appendix mucinous adenocarcinoma Abdominal malignant tumor: GISTs? Small intestine Laparotomy 4 DUD
9 31F Gastrointestinal bleeding Abdominal occupying lesion Stomach Laparotomy 75 ANED
10 72F Abdominal mass Cystic lesion between liver and stomach: GISTs Stomach Laparotomy 79 ANED
11 61F Incidental finding during physical examination Abdominal cystic lesion: GISTs? Stomach Laparotomy 36 ANED
12 62M Abdominal pain Abdominal cystic lesion: GISTs? Stomach Laparotomy 63 ANED
13 58M Abdominal discomfort Abdominal occupying lesion Stomach Laparotomy 51 ANED
14 47M Gastrointestinal bleeding Abdominal occupying lesion Duodenum Laparotomy 59 AWD
15 61F NA Abdominal occupying lesion Stomach Laparotomy 36 ANED
16 68M Abdominal discomfort Abdominal occupying lesion Stomach Laparotomy + imatinib 45 ANED
17 57M Abdominal pain Diverticulum or GISTs Small intestine Laparotomy 19 ANED
18 61F Incidental finding during physical examination Ovarian chocolate cyst Omentum Laparotomy 30 ANED
19 45M NA Abdominal occupying lesion Small intestine Laparotomy 66 ANED
20 64M Incidental finding during physical examination Pelvic occupying lesion Small intestine Laparotomy + imatinib 92 ANED

ANED alive with no evidence of disease, DUD died of unrelated disease, AWD alive with disease

Fig. 1.

Fig. 1

On contrast-computed tomography (CT), cGISTs usually demonstrate an exophytic, well-defined, low-density mass with peripheral enhancement (a, b). Grossly, the cystic component made up the vast majority of the masses and was surrounded by neoplastic parenchyma variable in thickness. Most of the cysts were filled by dark bloody serous fluid and necrotic debris (c, d)

Pathologic findings

Pathologic findings are presented in Table 2. On macroscopic examination, cGISTs appeared as soft, well-circumscribed masses and ranged in size from 7 to 20 cm with a mean of 11.5 cm (Fig. 1c, d). Most of the neoplasms were unilocular (n = 15, 75%). On sectioning, the cut surface varied in color from gray/white to red/brown depending on the degree of hemorrhage. The cystic component made up the vast majority of the masses and was surrounded by neoplastic parenchyma variable in thickness (range 0.1–4.5 cm). Most of the cysts (14/16, 87.5%) were filled by dark bloody fluid and necrotic debris but one contained grey-green turbid, the other light-yellow fluid.

Table 2.

Pathologic details of 20 cases of cGIST

Case Size (cm) Focality Cystic contents Sectioning Cellularity Cellular type Mitosis (/50 HPF) Cellular atypia
1 15 Unilocular Dark bloody necrosis debris NA Moderate Epithelioid 0 Mild–moderate
2 12 Unilocular Dark brown fluid Grey/white Moderate Epithelioid 3 Mild–moderate, partially severe
3 8 Multilocular Light yellow clear fluid Grey/red Moderate Epithelioid 2 Moderate–severe
4 8 Unilocular Dark bloody necrotic debris Grey/white Moderate Spindle 0 Mild–moderate
5 10 Unilocular Dark brown fluid Grey/white Moderate Spindle 1 Mild–moderate, partially severe
6 7 Unilocular Dark red fluid Grey/red Moderate Spindle 2 Mild–moderate
7 9 Unilocular Dark bloody necrotic debris Grey/brown Moderate Spindle 2 Mild–moderate
8 8 Unilocular Grey–green turbid fluid Grey/red Moderate Spindle 1 Mild–moderate
9 8.5 Unilocular NA NA Moderate-Condense Spindle 1 Moderate
10 16 Unilocular Grey–red turbid fluid Grey/white Moderate Epithelioid 0 Moderate–severe
11 12.5 Multilocular NA Grey/white Moderate Spindle 1 Mild–moderate
12 20 Multilocular Dark red fluid Grey/white Moderate Epithelioid 0 Moderate, partially severe
13 13.5 Unilocular Brown fluid Brown Moderate Spindle 0 Mild
14 12 Unilocular Dark red necrotic debris Grey/white Moderate Spindle 2 Mild–moderate
15 13 Unilocular NA NA Moderate Epithelioid 11 Moderate
16 15 Multilocular Dark bloody necrotic debris Grey/white Moderate Spindle 1 Mild–moderate
17 9 Unilocular Dark red necrotic debris Grey/brown Moderate Spindle 0 Moderate–severe
18 8 Unilocular NA NA Moderate Spindle 8 Moderate
19 14 Unilocular Dark bloody necrotic debris NA Mild Spindle 1 Moderate
20 13 Multilocular Dark bloody serous fluid Grey/red Moderate Spindle 0 Mild–moderate

Microscopically, cyst wall was composed of neoplastic spindle (n = 14, 70%)/epithelioid cells (n = 6, 30%) and collagenous fiber with necrotic debris and granulation tissue lining on the inner surface (Fig. 2a). The degree of cellularity varied in different cases and areas but was moderate in general. In rare cases were the cyst wall occupied by collagenous fiber with little cellular component (Fig. 2b). The nuclei were of mild to moderate atypia in 17 (85%) patients and mitotic count was fewer than 5/50 HPF in 18 (90%) patients. In addition, hemosiderin deposits and foamy histocytes were observed in several cases. Within the cysts, there were liquefactive necrosis, hemorrhage and myxoid changes but neoplastic cells were absent. Malignant biological parameters, such as severe nuclear atypia, mucosal infiltration and muscularis propria infiltration, were discovered in nine patients but none involved more than two parameters.

Fig. 2.

Fig. 2

At low magnification, cyst wall was composed of neoplastic spindle/epithelioid cells and collagenous fiber lined with necrotic debris and granulation tissue (a). In rare cases were the cyst wall occupied by collagenous fiber with little cellular component (b). All available cases demonstrated positive staining for CD117 (c). c-kit exon 11 point substitution was the most common among all c-kit/PDGFRα mutants (d)

The results of immunohistochemical and mutational analysis are summarized in Table 3. All cases demonstrated positive staining for CD117 (20/20) and negative staining for desmin (20/20) (Fig. 2c). DOG-1 was positive in 14/15 (93.3%) cases, CD34 was positive in 16/19 (84.2%) cases, and SMA was positive in 7/20 (35%) cases. Staining was also performed for several other antibodies, but results were not included because of the limited number of cases. Mutational analyses revealed c-kit or PDGFRα mutations in eleven cases with the remaining nine being wild type for these two mutations. Among all c-kit/PDGFRα mutants, c-kit exon 11 point substitution was the most common (4/11), followed by c-kit exon 11 deletions (2/11), combination of substitution and deletions in c-kit exon 11 (2/11), PDGFRα exon 18 D842V substitution (2/11) and c-kit exon 9 deletions (1/11).

Table 3.

Immunohistochemical and mutational analysis of 20 case of cGIST

Case Malignant parameters Malignancy NIH criterion CD117 Desmin DOG-1 CD34 SMA S-100 Mutational status
1 No Nonmalignant High Pos Neg NA Pos Pos NA None in c-kit or PDGFRα
2 Severe nuclear atypia Low High Pos Neg Pos Neg Pos Neg None in c-kit or PDGFRα
3 Infiltration of muscularis propria and vessels Low Intermediate Pos Neg Pos Pos Neg Pos None in c-kit or PDGFRα
4 No Nonmalignant High Pos Neg Pos Pos Neg NA None in c-kit or PDGFRα
5 Severe nuclear atypia Low High Pos Neg Pos Pos Pos Pos c-kit exon 11 Y568S, DEL569-573
6 No Nonmalignant Intermediate Pos Neg Pos Pos Neg Neg c-kit exon 11 V559D
7 No Nonmalignant High Pos Neg Pos Pos Pos Neg None in c-kit or PDGFRα
8 Muscularis propria infiltration Low High Pos Neg Pos Pos Pos Pos c-kit exon 11 L576P
9 No Nonmalignant Intermediate Pos Neg NA Pos Neg Neg c-kit exon 11 DEL559-561
10 Severe nuclear atypia Low High Pos Neg Pos Pos Neg NA c-kit exon 11 V559D
11 No Nonmalignant High Pos Neg Pos Pos Neg NA c-kit exon 11 DEL557-558
12 Severe nuclear atypia Low High Pos Neg Pos Pos Neg Neg PDGFRα exon 18 D842V
13 No Nonmalignant High Pos Neg Neg Pos Neg NA PDGFRα exon 18 D842V
14 Infiltration of mucosa and muscularis propria Low High Pos Neg NA Pos Pos Neg c-kit exon 11 Y553D, DEL554-572
15 No Nonmalignant High Pos Neg Pos NA Neg NA None in c-kit or PDGFRα
16 No Nonmalignant High Pos Neg Pos Pos Neg Neg c-kit exon 11 V559D
17 Severe nuclear atypia Low High Pos Neg Pos Pos Neg Neg c-kit exon 9 INS502-503
18 Severe nuclear atypia Low High Pos Neg Pos Pos Neg Neg None in c-kit or PDGFRα
19 No Nonmalignant High Pos Neg NA Neg Pos NA None in c-kit or PDGFRα
20 No Nonmalignant High Pos Neg NA Neg Neg Neg None in c-kit or PDGFRα

DEL deletion, INS insertion

Treatment and follow-up

All patients underwent laparotomy for surgical resection of cGISTs and no severe complication occurred postoperatively. According to modified National Institute of Health (NIH) criterion, the risk of recurrence was estimated to be intermediate in 3 cases (15%) and high in 17 cases (85%). Based on biological behaviors proposed for evaluating GISTs by our institute, 11 patients were classified as nonmalignant and 9 as low degree of malignancy (Table 3). Adjuvant imatinib was carried out in 3 nonmalignant/high-risk patients (12, 30 and 39 months respectively) and no evidence of recurrence was observed during follow-up (45, 92 and 39 months respectively). For patients without adjuvant imatinib, local recurrence was detected in one (low degree of malignancy/high risk) after a median duration of 63 months (range 4–143 months). The patient underwent a second operation and postoperative imatinib therapy and was progression free after another follow-up of 35 months. One patient died of an unrelated cause 4 months after surgery, whereas all the other patients were alive till the end of follow-up (Table 1).

Comparison between cystic and solid GISTs

The clinicopathological characteristics of cystic GISTs in comparison with their solid counterparts are summarized in Table 4. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of age, sex, tumor location, cellular type, NIH criterion and adjuvant imatinib, except for mitotic index and numbers of biological parameters. Eighteen (90%) cGISTs had a mitotic rate of five or fewer per 50 HPF with a median of 1/50 HPF. The number of malignant biological parameters was none in 9 (45%) cGISTs and 1–2 in 11 (55%). In comparison, 85 of the 200 (42.5%) solid GISTs had mitoses more than 10/50 HPF and 27 (13.5%) had 6 to 10 mitoses per 50 HPF. Solid GISTs were more likely to manifest malignant biological behaviors, with more than 2 parameters in 81 (40.5%) cases and 1–2 parameters in 77 (38.5%) cases. Of 167 solid GISTs with mutational information, 103 (61.7%) harbored mutations in c-kit exon 11, 41 (24.5%) in c-kit exon 9, 1 (0.6%) in c-kit exon 13, 4 (2.4%) in PDGFRα exon 18 D842V and 18 (10.8%) in none. In addition, survival analysis showed that patients with solid GISTs had a significantly worse recurrence-free survival (5-year RFS = 66.1%) than patients with cGISTs (5-year RFS = 94.4%) (Fig. 3).

Table 4.

Comparison of clinicopathological characteristics between cystic and solid GISTs

Cystic (n = 20) Solid (n = 200) P
Age (years) 59.5 (66–73) 60 (19–84) 0.554
Sex
 Male 9 116 0.263
 Female 11 84
Location
 Stomach 10 117 0.462
 Non-stomach 10 83
Cellular type
 Spindle 14 175 0.071
 Non-spindle 6 25
Size (cm) 9 (7–20) 12 (7–20) 0.056
 7–9.9 8 102 0.601
 10–14.9 8 70
 ≥ 15 4 28
Mitotic Index (/50 HPF) 1 (0–11) 8 (1–210) < 0.001*
 ≤ 5 18 88 0.0004*
 6–10 1 27
 > 10 1 85
NIH criterion
 Intermediate 3 32 1
 High 17 168
Predictive parameters of malignancy 0 (0–2) 2 (1–6) < 0.001*
 0 11 42 < 0.001*
 1–2 9 77
 > 2 0 81
Mutational status
 c-kit 9 145 < 0.001*
 PDGFRα 2 4
 Neither 9 18
Adjuvant imatinib
 Yes 3 49 0.498
 No 17 151

*P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant

Fig. 3.

Fig. 3

Recurrence-free survival analysis (RFS) of 20 cystic and 200 solid GISTs

Discussion

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors typically appear as regular, soft, solid masses, varying greatly in size and distributed within and outside the gastrointestinal tract. They are usually well circumscribed and unencapsulated with an endophytic or exophytic growth pattern. Small cystic areas are frequently observed in GISTs with large size, but GISTs rarely manifest predominantly as cystic tumors. Cases of this uncommon form have been described but no retrospective study has been reported in the English literature (Hamza et al. 2016; Okano et al. 2015; Shaikh et al. 2015; Sun et al. 2016; Takahashi et al. 2010; Wang et al. 2017; Zhu et al. 2014). In addition, clinical follow-up information was not available in most cases. In the present study, a cohort of 20 GISTs with extensive cystic change, designated as cGISTs, were evaluated to characterize their clinicopathological features and determine their biological behaviors and prognoses.

Most of the cGISTs, both in our study and prior reports, demonstrated an exophytic growth pattern and lacked pathognomonic signs or symptoms until the late stage of the disease. CT or MRI played an important role in differential diagnosis, providing evidence for original locations while excluding inconsistent neoplasms, but was not potent enough to establish exact diagnosis preoperatively. Although suggested as a useful modality for diagnosing GISTs, EUS-guided FNA appears as a prudent choice for cGISTs due to the possibility of insufficient sample volume and fear of dissemination. For all these reasons, misdiagnoses were easily made preoperatively, which included duplication cysts, mucin-producing tumors, pancreatic pseudocysts, cystic lymphangioma, cystic degeneration of other solid neoplasms, etc. Therefore, successful diagnosis of GISTs necessitates further histological and immunohistochemical examinations. Of note, diagnosis of GISTs should be considered when cystic tumors of unknown origin are encountered in the abdomen.

Pathological analysis of cGISTs revealed similar morphologic and immunohistochemical features with solid ones except that cGISTs were less likely to demonstrate malignant biological behaviors. cGISTs usually compressed or dislocated rather than invaded abutting organs. On microscopy, the mitotic figures were fewer than 5/50 HPF in the majority and malignant parameters such as mucosal invasion and muscularis propria infiltration were less common compared to solid GISTs of similar size (Table 3). Prominent cystic change may be responsible for their indolent behaviors, leaving only a small proportion of viable tumor cells. Cystic change of GISTs takes place in the following situations: (a) primary GISTs with expansive growth pattern, in which cystic structure takes up a large proportion, (b) cystic change induced by rapid growth rate and subsequent necrosis in malignant GISTs, (c) metastatic lesions to liver and pancreas which is cystic in nature, (d) GISTs on treatment with imatinib (Bechtold et al. 2003). Different from cystic change caused by rapid tumor growth, cGISTs are characterized by a relatively even cyst wall and fewer parameters of malignancy. As for their low frequency of c-kit/PDGFRα mutations, lack of enough neoplastic cells may be an explanation, or it is a unique inherent feature associated with their development.

To date, little is known about the cause of predominant cystic change in GISTs and we speculate that exophytic growth pattern with a small area of attachment may restrict blood supply to the tumor. Aggravated by occasional vascular obstruction and incapability of angiogenesis, congestion, hemorrhage, degeneration and liquefactive necrosis occur, resulting in remarkable cystic change. Alternatively, cystic development may be attributed to communication between tumor mass and gastrointestinal tract in certain cases. In three previously reported cases as well as one included in the present study, it is likely that ulceration of gastrointestinal mucosa allows entrance of enteric leakage into tumor mass and induces abscess formation subsequently.

Patients with cGISTs reported in the literature usually underwent surgical resection as the primary treatment but follow-up information was available in fewer than half. In our series, surgery was also the therapy of choice, with three patients receiving additional adjuvant imatinib. Recurrence was detected in one patient without adjuvant imatinib (low degree of malignancy/high risk) and brought under control by surgery and imatinb. In comparison, the 5-year RFS was 66.1% in patients with solid GISTs of similar size. We can say from our experience that surgery is safe and effective for patients with cGISTs. In view of lack of pathology and risk of rupture, preoperative administration of imatinib is not warranted. According to modified NIH criterion, the majority of cGISTs (85% in our series) was stratified as high risk of recurrence and necessitates adjuvant imatinib. However, to avoid excessive administration of imatinib, we recommend meticulous evaluation of malignant parameters prior to decision. For patients with cGISTs classified as nonmalignant, surgical resection alone may achieve long-term recurrence free survival; for patients with cGISTs classified as low degree of malignancy, adjuvant imatinib should be considered but its benefit might be counteracted by low incidence of recurrence.

Several limitations were implicit in our study. First, the cases included were from surgical pathology database and consultation files over a long period of time, resulting in incomplete clinical and pathological information. Second, it was a retrospective study with a limited sample size, which renders the conclusions provisional and warrants further investigations. Third, the magnitude of cystic change was assessed according to radiology reports and/or gross reports. A more qualitative determination of tumor cells may need to perform during radiologic and pathological examinations.

In conclusion, although similar to solid GISTs in terms of morphologic and immunohistochemical features, cGISTs should be considered as a specific subtype of GISTs with relatively indolent behaviors and favorable prognoses. Parameters of malignancy are more applicable than modified NIH criterion in determining recurrence risk and whether to administrate adjuvant imatinib. Future studies analyzing a larger cohort with more detailed information should help shed light on the pathogenesis and long-term survival for these neoplasms.

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by Shanghai Municipal Commission of Health and Family Planning, key developing discipline (NO. 2015ZB0201) and Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission (14411970000).

Compliance with ethical standards

Conflict of interest

All the authors listed have approved the manuscript and no conflict of interest exists

Ethical approval

Study approval was obtained from the institutional review board at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University.

Footnotes

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Anwei Xue and Wei Yuan contributed equally to this work.

Contributor Information

Yingyong Hou, Email: houyingyong@hotmail.com.

Kuntang Shen, Email: shen.kuntang@zs-hospital.sh.cn.

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