STROMAL TUMORS OF THE GASTROINTESTINAL-TRACT - A CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL AND PLOIDY ANALYSIS OF 33 CASES

The clinicopathological and DNA flow cytometric data of 33 patients wi th stromal tumours of the gastrointestinal tract (STGIT) were analysed to select pathological features of prognostic value. Tumours had been previously classified as benign (21 cases) or malignant (12 cases). D ata relating to poor prognosis statistically were local invasion, path ological grade, size greater than 10 cm, mitotic index (MI) and necros is. Pathological grade was related to local invasion. Aneuploidy did n ot correlate with poor survival although a common trend was detected b etween both. DNA content may help to predict prognosis of STGIT, but i ts real value has not yet been clearly established. Currently, stage ( invasion), size, MI and pathological grade remain the most useful prog nostic factors.