Treatment of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST)
What are gastrointestinal stromal tumors?
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are a rare, yet cancerous tumor in the digestive system. These tumors are a soft tissue sarcoma and develop in certain cells, known as the interstitial cells of Cajal. Most often, these tumors develop in the stomach or small intestine. Small tumors often do not cause symptoms, and are as small as the size of a pencil eraser. In contrast, large tumors can grow and cause symptoms like abdominal pain, fatigue, and nausea.
What causes gastrointestinal stromal tumors?
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors occur when the KIT gene changes and causes the cell to produce a protein called KIT CD117. This specific protein causes cells in the gastrointestinal tract to multiply and create tumors. Inheriting one of these tumor disorders can increase your risk of developing GIST:
- Carney-Stratakis syndrome.
- Familiar GIST syndrome.
- Neurofibromatosis type 1.
What are the signs of gastrointestinal stromal tumor?
This type of cancer does not normally cause symptoms. People often learn that they have GIST when they have a test or surgery for another, unrelated condition. When symptoms do develop, they may include the following:
- Abdominal pain.
- Blood in the stool.
- Constipation.
- Fatigue.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Vomiting blood.
How are gastrointestinal stromal tumors diagnosed?
People with gastrointestinal stromal tumors do not usually have symptoms during the earliest stages. GISTs are often detected when a health care professional is already assessing something else. If your health care professional suspects GIST, he may order one of the following tests:
- Imaging tests: A Computed Tomography (CT) scan or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) can be used to identify a mass.
- Upper endoscopy or colonoscopy: This can be utilized to detect a mass in the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, or rectum.
- Biopsy: This is used to analyze tissue for cancer cells.
What are treatment options for gastrointestinal stromal tumors?
For gastrointestinal stromal tumors, treatment may be a combination of surgery and targeted therapy. For individuals with small tumors, the goal of surgery is to remove all of the cancer. People with larger tumors may require targeted therapy before surgery to shrink the tumor. The Gastrointestinal and Neuroendocrine Oncology Multidisciplinary Team at Karmanos Cancer Institute design individualized treatment plans based on the patient’s age, tumor type, tumor quantity, and tumor location.
Additional treatment for gastrointestinal stromal tumors include targeted therapy drugs or clinical trials. Speaking with a cancer expert will allow you to find the best treatment option for you.
Early detection is one of the most powerful weapons in the fight against cancer. When it comes to world-class cancer care close to home, look no further than Karmanos.
Information includes gastrointestinal stromal tumors, causes, risk factors, diagnosis and treatment.