Management of recurrent gastrointestinal stromal tumors

Recurrence after resection of primary gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is an unfortunately all‐too‐common phenomenon. The principal treatment for recurrent GIST is the first‐line tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) imatinib mesylate. Those who progress on, or are intolerant of imatinib, are treated with second‐line TKI sunitinib malate. Cytoreductive surgery may be considered as an “adjuvant” therapy for patients with disease stabilized on imatinib, and, on an individual basis, sunitinib. J. Surg. Oncol. 2011; 104:915–920. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.