Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is a rare malignant cancer that usually occurs in the stomach and the initial part of the intestine, but can also occur in other parts of the digestive system, such as the esophagus, large intestine, or anus, for example. .
Gastrointestinal stromal tumor is usually more common in the elderly and adults over the age of 40, especially when there is a family history of the disease or the patient has neurofibromatosis.
- Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST).
- Although malignant.
- Develops slowly and therefore there is a high probability of recovery when diagnosed early.
- And treatment can be done with medication or surgery.
Symptoms of the gastrointestinal stromal tumor may include
However, in most cases, the gastrointestinal stromal tumor has no symptoms, and the problem is often discovered when the patient has anemia and undergoes ultrasound or endoscopic examinations to identify possible abdominal bleeding.
Treatment of the gastrointestinal stromal tumor should be indicated by a gastroenterologist, but is usually done by surgery to remove the affected part of the digestive system, eliminating or reducing the tumor.
During surgery, if a large part of the intestine needs to be removed, the surgeon may need to create a permanent opening in the abdomen for stool to escape and collect in a pouch attached to the abdomen.
However, in some cases the tumor may be very small or in a difficult place to operation, so your doctor will only be able to instruct the daily use of medicines, such as imatinib or sinutinib, that slow tumor growth. thus avoiding symptoms.