Published online Sep 16, 2017. doi: 10.4253/wjge.v9.i9.448
Peer-review started: February 8, 2017
First decision: April 18, 2017
Revised: July 14, 2017
Accepted: July 21, 2017
Article in press: July 24, 2017
Published online: September 16, 2017
Processing time: 225 Days and 1.3 Hours
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare tumors of the GI tract. Surgical resection remains the mainstay of non-metastatic disease. However, the ability to provide an adequate oncologic resection using laparoscopic surgery is still an area of debate. This is a thorough review of the current literature, looking particularly at the use of laparoscopic surgery for larger GISTs and the long-term oncologic outcomes compared to the results of open surgery. Laparoscopic resections provide an adequate oncologic result for GISTs of all sizes, including those greater than 5 cm in size.
Core tip: Laparoscopy is now increasingly being used in cases of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). While technically possible to resect these tumors laparoscopically, there has been concern that the oncologic outcomes for these patients could be compromised for tumors greater than 5 cm in size. This review, summarizing the data from several studies, demonstrates that a proper oncologic resection can be achieved laparoscopically, even for larger GISTs.