Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor of the Rectum: Report of a Case With Long-Term Imatinib Treatment

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are rare in the rectum. These usually present with symptoms produced by compression of pelvic organs or bleeding. Surgery is the treatment of choice, however, at times the surgery can be mutilating and organ preservation may not be possible. In such cases imatinib can be used. We report a case of rectal GIST that presented with urinary obstruction and obstipation treated with long-term imatinib with very good response and relief of symptoms, which prompted the patient to refuse surgery and resulted in organ preservation.