Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common malignant subepithelial lesions (SELs) of the gastrointestinal tract. They originate from the interstitial cells of Cajal located within the muscle layer and are characterized by over-expression of the tyrosine kinase receptor KIT. Pathologically, diagnosis of a GIST relies on morphology and immunohistochemistry [KIT and/or discovered on gastrointestinal stromal tumor 1 (DOG1) is generally positive]. The prognosis of this disease is associated with the tumor size and mitotic index. The standard treatment of a GIST without metastasis is surgical resection. A GIST with metastasis is usually only treated by tyrosine kinase inhibitors without radical cure; thus, early diagnosis is the only way to improve its prognosis. However, a GIST is usually detected as a SEL during endoscopy, and many benign and malignant conditions may manifest as SELs. Conventional endoscopic biopsy is difficult for tumors without ulceration. Most SELs have therefore been managed without a histological diagnosis. However, a favorable prognosis of a GIST is associated with early histological diagnosis and R0 resection. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and EUS-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) are critical for an accurate diagnosis of SELs. EUS-FNA is safe and effective in enabling an early histological diagnosis and adequate treatment. This review outlines the current evidence for the diagnosis and management of GISTs, with an emphasis on early management of small SELs.

The clinicopathological characteristics of gastric cancer determine the type of recurrence, although the clinical outcome is the same for each type of tumour and is not related to the number of sites of recurrence.

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We carried out a meta analysis of remote patient monitoring (RPM) for chronic heart failure (CHF) patients. A literature search was used to identify randomised controlled trials with more than 40 patients, published between February 2003 and February 2013. The primary outcome (mortality) was analysed using a random effect model. Thirteen studies were included (3337 patients). RPM resulted in a significantly lower mortality (risk ratio 0.76; 95% confidence interval 0.62 to 0.93) compared to usual care. The test for heterogeneity showed that articles had been extracted homogeneously (I(2)=0%, P=0.67). In order to determine which RPM model was most effective, subgroup analyses were conducted by age, severity of illness, measurement frequency, medication management and speed of intervention. The group with rapid intervention had the lowest mortality (rapid group risk ratio=0.59, non-rapid group risk ratio=0.88, P=0.05). The group with high measurement frequency had lower mortality (high frequency group risk ratio=0.62, low frequency group risk ratio=0.89, P=0.07). The group with medication management had lower mortality (medication group risk ratio=0.65, non medication group risk ratio=0.85, P=0.19). RPM is effective in chronic heart failure and rapid intervention was the most important factor in the RPM model.

EUS-FNA is an accurate and safe method in the pre-therapeutic diagnosis of gastric SELs smaller than 2 cm. EUS-FNA for gastric SELs smaller than 2 cm is a promising way to permit early management of patients with gastric SELs including GIST.