KIT immunohistochemistry and mutation status in gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) evaluated for treatment with imatinib

Abstract

An accurate diagnosis of GIST can be made on clinicopathological and immunohistochemical criteria without the need for mutational analysis in most cases, provided proper attention is paid to the immunohistochemical protocol used and, most importantly, control material. False-positive diagnoses of GIST potentially leading to inappropriate treatment with imatinib are more common than missed diagnoses.