Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) of the stomach

These account for 3% of gastric malignancies, because these tumors arise in the mesenchymal portion of the gastric wall.

Patients present at a mean age of 60, and after the sixth decade.

Lesions with more than 5 to 10 mitoses per 10 high-powered fields demonstrate an increased potential for metastasis.

Metastasis occurs via the hematogenous route, and lymphatic involvement is rare.

Surgical resection is the treatment of choice.