[Treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors with imatinib mesylate: a center-based study of 13 patients].

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are rare mesenchymal tumors, with specific histological characteristics. These tumors are resistant to conventional radiation and chemotherapy treatment and therefore, patients with unresectable or metastatic GIST have a poor prognosis. Imatinib, a c-kit tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has recently been found to be highly effective for patients with advanced GIST.

[Primary well-differentiated papillary mesothelioma of the peritoneum--a rare but important differential diagnosis].

The primary well-differentiated papillary mesothelioma of the peritoneum is a rare neoplasm, characterized by an indolent course and good prognosis. We report the case of a 55-year-old male, who presented progressive abdominal swelling due to ascites. On computerized tomography, the peritoneum was diffusely thickened and irregular.