A study of the postoperative course in cases of GIST of the stomach. The efficacy of imatinib in cases of recurrence.

Background: The postoperative course of cases of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) of the stomach was studied in patients who underwent surgery in this Department. In addition, treatment with the molecular-targeted drug imatinib was studied in cases of recurrence.

Patients And Methods: We studied 40 cases with a diagnosis of GIST of the stomach where the patient subsequently underwent surgery in this Department between July 1985 (when this facility opened) and December 2007.

A prospective study of the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease and confounding factors.

Background: The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has reportedly risen in recent years. Difficulties associated with endoscopic diagnosis mean it is not easy to determine its precise prevalence. A prospective study of the prevalence of endoscopy-positive GERD (EP-GERD) was conducted at Higuchi Hospital, a general hospital in Northwestern Kyushu, Japan.