Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST)

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor, or GIST, is a type of soft tissue sarcoma that develops in the walls of the gastrointestinal tract of your digestive system. It mainly affects your stomach and small intestine. The tumors are typically small and benign, which tend to be relatively slow-growing and less likely to return.

At Sarcoma Oncology Center, we provide personalized treatment for GIST. Our center also specializes in offering clinical trials to patients when traditional treatments are ineffective. 

Understanding GIST

A gastrointestinal stromal tumor, or GIST, is a tumor that grows from special nerve cells present in the walls of the digestive organs. These cells help move food through the body. 

The interstitial cells of Cajal are a specialized type of cell found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. These cells help regulate food and liquid movement in the digestive system and coordinate smooth muscle contractions. Although it can occur at any age, GIST is most commonly diagnosed later in life, with a median age of diagnosis in the 60s.

GIST accounts for 0.1 to 3% of all gastrointestinal malignancies. It is mostly benign, with only about 30% of GISTs being malignant. It mainly occurs throughout the GI tract, with 60% of cases present in the stomach and 20% to 30% in the small intestine.

This soft tissue sarcoma rarely occurs outside the GI tract, but some start outside the digestive system in nearby areas such as:

  • Omentum: This is a large adipose tissue layer that lines the abdominal cavity and covers the abdominal organs.
  • Mesentery: This is a membrane that attaches the intestine to the wall around the stomach area and holds it in place.
  • Peritoneum: This is a thin lining of tissue that covers the organs and lines the inside of the stomach.

Causes & Symptoms of GIST

Causes of GIST may include:

  • Genetic mutation: GIST can develop when the KIT gene mutates, causing cells in your digestive tract to multiply uncontrollably and develop a tumor.
  • Familial GIST syndrome: In rare cases, abnormal KIT genes get passed on from parent to child, increasing the chances of developing GIST.
  • Certain tumor disorders: GIST is linked with tumor disorders, such as neurofibromatosis type 1, which causes certain cells to grow and multiply, creating tumors. 

GIST may not show symptoms, especially when the tumors are small. People mostly learn they have a tumor in their GI tract when they have a test or surgery for another reason. 

When symptoms develop, they may include:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Blood in your stool
  • Cramping pain in the abdomen after eating
  • Constipation
  • Fatigue
  • Losing weight 
  • Loss of appetite
  • Vomiting 
  • Growth in your abdomen
  • Dark-colored stools

Diagnosis of GIST

Your healthcare provider may ask about your symptoms and check for growth in your abdomen. They may order the following tests for the diagnosis of GIST:

  • Imaging tests: These tests help find the location and size of your tumor. Tests may include ultrasound, CT, MRI, and PET scans. 
  • Upper endoscopy: This test uses a long, thin tube called an endoscope with a light on one end. It examines the inside of the stomach and the first part of the small intestine.
  • Endoscopic ultrasound: This test also uses an endoscope to look inside the GI tract with the help of an ultrasound probe on the tip of the scope. 
  • Biopsy: This test involves surgically extracting a tissue sample from your tumor for lab testing. 

Treatment of GIST

Treatment of GIST depends on what our oncologist learns from test results, including its size, location, and whether the tumor is spreading from where it started. Small GISTs that do not cause symptoms may not need treatment right away. Treatment usually starts when the tumor starts growing and spreading from the tumor site.

The type of treatment for GIST depends on your condition:

  • Surgery: It removes the tumor cells from the affected area. If the tumor grows very large or into nearby structures, surgery may not be recommended as the first treatment approach. The type of surgery depends on your tumor. In most cases, the tumor can be reached using a minimally invasive method. 
  • Chemotherapy: It is a targeted drug treatment that removes tumor cells from the affected area. It can be done before and after the surgery, as the first treatment approach, and if the tumor comes back.
  • Clinical trial: This approach relies on the latest experimental treatments and trial options to treat GIST.

GIST Treatment at Sarcoma Oncology Center

GIST typically does not show symptoms in the early stages. Treatment usually involves surgery and chemotherapy. When traditional treatment approaches are not effective, we offer clinical trials.

At our office in Santa Monica, we design personalized and innovative plans for treating GIST. We monitor your recovery and overall health even after you finish treatment.

To schedule a consultation, please call us at 310-552-9999 or request an appointment online.

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