Endoscopic Characteristics, Risk Grade, and Prognostic Prediction in Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors of the Small Bowel

Background/Aims: Balloon-assisted endoscopy allows us to diagnose gastrointestinal (GI) stromal tumors (GISTs) in the small bowel including endoscopic ultrasonography and taking biopsy. The aim of this study was to retrospectively clarify clinical and endoscopic characteristics of small bowel GISTs using double-balloon endoscopy (DBE). Methods: We reviewed 25 patients who underwent DBE and were diagnosed with GISTs. The risk of GISTs was stratified using the National Institute of Health (NIH) consensus criteria. We evaluated the available DBE route, the diagnostic yield of biopsy examination, and the relationship between endoscopic characteristics and recurrence-free survival (RFS). Results: Of all 25 patients, 23 had any endoscopic findings related to GIST. They were detected using the antegrade approach in 91.3%. GISTs were classified into high risk (n = 7), intermediate risk (n = 4), low risk (n = 10), and very low risk (n = 4) based on surgical specimens. The diagnostic result of biopsy was 46.7% (7/15), but it was difficult to predict the NIH risk group. Endoscopic characteristics were not associated with RFS. The NIH risk group was significantly associated with RFS. Conclusions: Antegrade DBE was preferable for exploring small bowel GIST, but the diagnostic ability of biopsy examination was limited.