What GIST stands for?

Published by %s
2019-12-30

What GIST stands for?

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST)

What are the symptoms of GIST?

What are the symptoms of a gastrointestinal stromal tumor?

  • Belly (abdominal) discomfort or pain.
  • A lump or mass in the belly that you can feel.
  • Vomiting.
  • Blood in stools or vomit.
  • Fatigue because of low red blood cell counts (anemia) caused by bleeding.
  • Feeling full after eating only a small amount (early satiety)

How do you treat GIST?

Types of treatment for GIST include:

  1. Surgery for Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors.
  2. Targeted Drug Therapy for Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors.
  3. Ablation and Embolization to Treat Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors.
  4. Chemotherapy for Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors.
  5. Radiation Therapy for Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors.

What is GIST medical?

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are uncommon cancers that start in special cells in the wall of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, also known as the digestive tract.

What causes GIST?

The exact cause of GISTs isn’t known, though they seem to be related to a mutation in the expression of the KIT protein. Cancer develops when cells begin to grow out of control. As the cells continue to grow uncontrollably, they build up to form a mass called a tumor.

Who gets GIST?

GISTs are usually found in adults between ages 40 and 70; rarely, children and young adults develop this type of tumor. Small tumors may cause no signs or symptoms. However, some people with GISTs may experience pain or swelling in the belly area (abdomen), nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or weight loss.

Are GIST tumors fast growing?

Some gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) grow slowly over time and may never cause a problem for a patient, while others can grow and spread very quickly. They are most common in the stomach and small intestine but may be found anywhere in or near the GI tract.

How common is GIST?

GISTs are rare, making up less than 1% of all gastrointestinal tumors. Each year, approximately 4,000 to 6,000 adults in the United States will be diagnosed with a GIST. About 60% of GISTs begin in the stomach, and around 35% develop in the small intestine.