Gastrointestinal stromal tumor
(Redirected from Gastrointestinal stromal tumors)
Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is a type of tumor that occurs in the gastrointestinal tract, specifically in the stomach and small intestine. GISTs are rare, but they are the most common mesenchymal neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract. They originate from the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) or from stem cells that can differentiate into ICC.
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
The symptoms of GIST vary depending on the size and location of the tumor. Some people with GIST have no symptoms, and the tumor is discovered incidentally during an examination or procedure for another condition. When symptoms do occur, they may include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, bleeding in the digestive tract, anemia, and a mass in the abdomen.
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Diagnosis of GIST typically involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, imaging studies, and biopsy. Imaging studies such as computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET) scan can help to identify the location and size of the tumor. Biopsy, in which a sample of the tumor is removed for examination under a microscope, is used to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Treatment for GIST depends on the size, location, and aggressiveness of the tumor, as well as the patient's overall health. Options may include surgery, targeted therapy, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Surgery is the primary treatment for localized GIST. Targeted therapy with drugs such as imatinib (Gleevec) and sunitinib (Sutent) is used for advanced or metastatic GIST.
Prognosis[edit | edit source]
The prognosis for GIST varies widely depending on the size and location of the tumor, the patient's age and overall health, and the specific genetic mutations present in the tumor. In general, smaller tumors that are detected early and can be completely removed surgically have a better prognosis.
See also[edit | edit source]
| Gastrointestinal stromal tumor Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
