Background: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare tumors of the gastrointestinal tract accounting for less than 1% of all gut tumors. GISTs occurring in the rectum are extremely rare, and these usually present at an advanced stage compared with other sites.
Case summary: A 60-year-old male who presented with features of sensations of rectal tenesmus was referred to our department with a mass in the lower rectum that was detected during a routine checkup. Colonoscopy, transrectal ultrasound, perianal magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonic contrast were used to diagnose the rectum GIST, and then the patient underwent complete transanal resection using the ultrasonic scalpel. The patient was discharged ten days after the operation and was defined as low risk. Therefore, he had no need to receive subsequent adjuvant therapies, and he had not suffered any anal dysfunction or had any evidence of recurrence at follow up.
Conclusion: Surgical resection with histologically negative margins is the standard curative treatment for rectal GISTs. Appropriate surgical techniques based on the location, size, and resectability of the tumor should attract great attention from clinicians.
Keywords: Case report; Gastrointestinal stromal tumor; Rectum; Ultrasonic scalpel resection.
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