CT reveals an endoluminal polypoidal enhancing lesion in the stomach. Histopath: GIST
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), which arise from the interstitial cells of Cajal, are the most common nonepithelial tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. GISTs occur mostly in the stomach and small bowel but can occur anywhere along the gastrointestinal tract and uncommonly in the peritoneal cavity. The CT features of GISTs vary greatly, depending on the size and aggressiveness of the tumor and the time of presentation during the course of the disease. Primary GISTs are typically large, hypervascular, enhancing masses on contrast-enhanced CT scans and are often heterogeneous because of necrosis, hemorrhage, or cystic degeneration at the time of presentation. Small GISTs can be endoluminal and polypoid in appearance. Nearly 50% of patients with GISTs present with metastasis.
