What is a GIST Tumour (Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumour)?
GISTs can grow slowly over time, without causing any signs or symptoms, others can grow and spread very quickly. They can develop at any age, but are most common in people aged 50 to 70.
GIST Tumour - symptoms
- Vomiting blood
- Passing blood in stools
- Abdominal pain
- A growth on the abdomen
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Anaemia
- Difficulty swallowing
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms you should seek medical attention from your doctor.
GIST Tumour - diagnosis
- CT Scan
- Endoscopy
- Endoscopic ultrasound
- Fine-needle aspiration biopsy
GIST Tumour Treatment & Surgery
Not all GISTs require treatment or surgery. Some GISTs are small, slow growing and symptomless, often only discovered during tests or treatment for another condition. Often these types of GISTs may be dealt with by the ‘watch and wait’ approach. However, for larger or symptomatic GISTs, treatment is required. Sometimes removal of GIST tumours can be performed with minimally invasive surgery (robotically or laparoscopically). Depending on the size and location of the GIST, sometimes only a wedge of stomach (wedge gastrectomy) needs to be removed, but other times a more formal removal of part or all of the stomach may be required (partial or total gastrectomy).
Surgical treatment of GISTs is based on how the tumour presented:
- Resectable – can be removed surgically.
- Unresectable – cannot be completely removed surgically.
- Metastatic – tumours that have spread to other parts of the body.
- Recurrent – tumours that have recurred (come back) following previous treatment.
- Refractory – have not improved with treatment.
Once diagnosed, your doctor will discuss the best treatment options for your GIST.