Follow-up of the Natural Course of the Small EUS-suspected Gastric Gastointestinal Stromal Tumors

Gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) less than 2 cm are usually followed up conservatively. However, little is known about the natural course of small GISTs. The goal of this study was to evaluate the clinical course of the small EUS-suspected gastric GISTs and to determine the size predicting subsequent progression with increased malignant potential.

Inclusion Criteria:

• (1) a small tumor size, less than 3 cm;
• (2) patients declined surgical intervention at initial identification of the lesion;
• (3) at least two EUS follow-up procedures were recorded;
• (4) the EUS follow-up period was more than 24 months.

Exclusion Criteria:

• (1) a tumor size, larger than 3 cm;
• (2) less two EUS follow-up procedures were recorded;
• (3) the EUS follow-up period was less 24 months.