[Long-term survival in a case of recurrent gastrointestinal stromal tumor treated with intermittent or low-dose imatinib]

Abstract

A 65-year-old woman with a gastrointestinal stromal tumor(GIST)underwent a total gastrectomy in 1999. In 2004, she was diagnosed with an intra-abdominal recurrence and was treated with 300mg/day of imatinib. Because of the side effects of imatinib, we interrupted the treatment and were forced to reduce the dose from 300mg/day to 100mg/day. However, at present, the tumor remains controlled. In conclusion, this case suggested that, even if given irregularly or at a low-dose, continuous treatment with imatinib might contribute to long-term survival in patients with GIST.