Hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery for a large gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the stomach.

We report two cases of large gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) of the stomach that were successfully treated by hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS). Two patients, a 56-year-old woman and a 60-year-old man, were admitted to our department for the treatment of a large submucosal tumor of the stomach. After gastrointestinal endoscopy, ultrasonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, we suspected that the masses, measuring 7.0 cm and 8.0 cm in diameter, respectively, were GISTs in the stomach. However, preoperatively, we could not rule out the possibility of malignant neoplasms, because they had been bleeding or gradually growing. Hand-assisted laparoscopic wedge resection was safely performed for the diagnosis and treatment of the submucosal tumor of the stomach. The immunohistochemical diagnosis in both patients was GIST of the stomach with intermediate-grade malignancy. HALS may be a good indication for large GISTs of the stomach that are difficult to diagnose preoperatively, whether they are malignant or benign, because it is safe and minimally invasive, promoting rapid recovery.