Gastrointestinal stromal tumours are rare neoplasms originating from the 
connective tissue of the digestive tract and constitute most of the 
non-epithelial primitive digestive tumours. The origin from the interstitial 
cell of Cajal is appreciated because of this tumours constantly present the 
expression of the surface antigens CD34 and CD 117 which can be determined 
immunohistochemistry. In the majority of cases, GISTs are symptomatic and 
symptoms are most commonly related to mass effect or bleeding. Asymptomatic 
GISTs are often found incidentally on physical examination, radiologic imaging, 
endoscopy, laparotomy or laparoscopy. US endoscopy and fine needle aspiration 
with subsequent immunohistochemistry analysis afford the best diagnostic 
accuracy. In primary and localized GISTs surgery is always indicated and 
laparoscopic technique is feasible and is recommended as the treatment of choice 
for all the patients. Imatinib should be started in metastatic or recurrent 
disease and neoadjuvant imatinib is also experimental, although its use may be 
justified in unresectable or marginally resectable GIST. Sunitinib has recently 
been approved for patients with GIST principally those who fail imatinib 
therapy. Our experience is based on the study of 7 GISTs: only in 2 cases the 
neoplasm was found occasionally; in the other, symptoms were related to mass 
effect or bleeding. Laparoscopic tumour resection was then performed in all the 
patients. The definitive diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumour, was made 
postoperatively by analysis of the histopathological and immunohistochemical 
findings. We confirmed constant high positivity for CD34 and for CD117. Even in 
the absence of unfavourable prognostic indicators, all patients are regularly 
followed-up.