Update on laparoscopic treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors

Background: The principles of surgery for primary gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) are resection with clear margins without lymphadenectomy, thus enabling organ-preserving resection in many cases. Tumor rupture needs to be avoided, because it entails peritoneal sarcomatosis. Given these preconditions, there is a rationale for laparoscopic resection of primary GIST. In metastatic GIST, surgery cannot achieve cure, but constitutes an important cornerstone of treatment. Resection can be performed either for residual lesions in responding patients, for focally progressive lesions, or as palliative measure in generalized progression. Methods: Selective literature review.