+91 92688 80303
+91 92688 80303 (24/7)
Our Medical Experts
Max Healthcare is home to 5000 eminent doctors in the world, most of whom are pioneers in their respective fields. Additionally, they are renowned for developing innovative and revolutionary clinical procedures.
Find a Doctor
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST) in Delhi, India
To Book an Appointment
Call Us+91 92688 80303Overview
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are soft tissue sarcomas that can occur in any part of the digestive tract. GISTs begin in the specialized nerve cells called interstitial cells of Cajal, located inside the walls of the digestive tract.
The digestive system consists of the small intestine, large intestine, stomach, rectum, and anus. These tumors are usually formed in the stomach and small intestine. GISTs are often found in adults ranging between ages 40 and 70, rarely occurring in children or young adults.
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor Types
Cancer can develop in any part of the digestive tract. Most cancers begin in the digestive tract such as esophagus cancer, stomach cancer, colon and rectum cancer. The types of GST tumour are:
Adenocarcinomas: Adenocarcinoma forms in the gland cells that line the digestive tract.
Squamous cell carcinomas: This cancer starts in the squamous cells, the thin and flat cells that line a few parts of the digestive tract such as the upper part of the stomach and the end of the anus.
Neuroendocrine tumor (NET): NETs are formed in the neuroendocrine cells in the digestive tract. They mostly develop in the pancreas, rectum, digestive tract, or lungs.
Leiomyosarcoma (LMS): LMS is a rare type of cancer that develops in smooth muscles or blood vessels. These muscles are found in the walls of hollow internal organs such as the stomach, intestines, uterus, blood vessels, and bladder. LMS cancer is aggressive, it develops and spreads quickly.
Angiosarcoma: Angiosarcoma, a rare type of cancer, forms in the lining of lymph vessels and blood vessels. It affects the skin and appears like a bruise that grows over time.
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST): MPNST cancer develops in the cells of the sheath that protects and covers the peripheral nerves. Peripheral nerves are found outside the central nervous system.
Adenocarcinomas: Adenocarcinoma forms in the gland cells that line the digestive tract.
Squamous cell carcinomas: This cancer starts in the squamous cells, the thin and flat cells that line a few parts of the digestive tract such as the upper part of the stomach and the end of the anus.
Neuroendocrine tumor (NET): NETs are formed in the neuroendocrine cells in the digestive tract. They mostly develop in the pancreas, rectum, digestive tract, or lungs.
Leiomyosarcoma (LMS): LMS is a rare type of cancer that develops in smooth muscles or blood vessels. These muscles are found in the walls of hollow internal organs such as the stomach, intestines, uterus, blood vessels, and bladder. LMS cancer is aggressive, it develops and spreads quickly.
Angiosarcoma: Angiosarcoma, a rare type of cancer, forms in the lining of lymph vessels and blood vessels. It affects the skin and appears like a bruise that grows over time.
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST): MPNST cancer develops in the cells of the sheath that protects and covers the peripheral nerves. Peripheral nerves are found outside the central nervous system.
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor Symptoms
GISTs may show no signs or symptoms. However, the most common symptom experienced by people with GIST may include:
- Abdominal pain
- Blood in vomiting or stools
- Swelling in the belly
- Nausea and vomiting
- Weight loss without reason
- Loss of appetite
- Weakness and tiredness
- Anemia
- Difficulty swallowing
Consult the doctor in case of any of the given symptoms, before they get worse.
GIST Causes
The cause of GISTs is unknown, though are related to a mutation in the cell of the KIT protein. These cells develop and grow out of control, forming a mass called a tumor.
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor Diagnosis
After checking the symptoms and medical history, the doctor will examine the growth of the tumor in the digestive tract. If symptoms suggest GISTs, the following tests are conducted to examine the spread of the tumor:
- Imaging Tests: To examine the spread and size of the tumor the doctor may suggest imaging tests usually a CT scan.
- Upper Endoscopy: A thin, flexible tube with a camera attached to one end is inserted through the mouth to examine the inner lining of the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine.
- Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS): EUS uses an endoscope with an ultrasound probe. The probe creates sound waves that translate into an image of the abdomen, showing the accurate location of the tumor.
- Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy: A biopsy is a procedure of collecting tissue samples, to diagnose GIST, using endoscopic ultrasound with fine-needle aspiration. A thin, hollow needle is attached to the tip of the endoscope to collect tissue samples. The sample is examined and analyzed in a laboratory.
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor Treatment
GISTs are treated using the following methods:
Surgery
Surgery is a common treatment used to remove large GISTs unless the tumor is too large or has spread to other organs and tissues. Generally, the tumor is removed along with some healthy tissue surrounding it, to prevent the further spread of cancer.
Targeted drug therapy
This therapy focuses on specific abnormalities within the cancer cells. Targeted drug therapy blocks this abnormality and kills the cancer cells. For GISTs, the drugs target an enzyme called tyrosine kinase, which helps the cancer cells to grow faster.
Imatinib
Tyrosine kinase inhibitor, also known as imatinib, is the first drug medicine used for GIST. It's often used before surgery to shrink the tumor, or after surgery to prevent GISTs recurrence. The medicine is in the form of a pill and has mild side effects such as nausea, indigestion, muscle cramps, swelling around the eyes, and fatigue. The pill may not cure advanced tumors, but it shrinks the tumor and helps people live longer.
Sunitinib
Sunitinib is given when imatinib doesn't work or causes side effects. The medicine shrinks the tumor and stops its growth for the time being. The most common side effects caused by this pill are mouth irritation, diarrhea, changes in hair and skin color. More severe side effects can include increased risk of bleeding, swelling, heart and liver problems, and high blood pressure.
Avapritinib
This medicine is used to treat people with advanced GISTs. Taken in the form of a pill, its side effects can include nausea, swelling, vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, and dizziness.
Regorafenib
This medicine is administered if no other medicines are working. It shrinks the tumor and slows the growth for some time. Taken as a pill, its side effects include high blood pressure, mouth sores, hair loss, loss of appetite, diarrhea, tiredness, redness, and pain in the hands
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation waves to kill cancer cells. It's not often useful for GISTs, but it can be administered to relieve specific symptoms on a case to case basis
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to treat cancer, given in the form of a pill or injected into a vein. The drug enters the bloodstream and kills the cancer cells. Treatment such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy are not often used for GST.
Risk Factor of GIST
The factors that may increase the chance of having a gastrointestinal stromal tumor are:
- History of neurofibromatosis type 1
- Gender (male are at higher risk than women)
- Age (aged 50 and above at higher risk)
- Family history of GISTs
- Inherited syndromes (such as carney-stratakis syndrome)
Prevention for GIST
As the causes for gastrointestinal stromal tumors are uncommon, there is no clear way to prevent GISTs. The earlier the tumor is found and treated higher are the chances of recovery and survival.
Complication After GIST Treatment
If the tumor grows in size, it can result in intussusception, hemorrhage, bowel obstruction, and bowel perforation with peritonitis. GISTs can also be a major source of gastrointestinal bleeding.
Prognosis or Outlook for Patients
Depending on the size and location of GISTs, they can be surgically removed increasing the chances of recovery. Targeted drug therapy is helpful and improves the survival rate if GISTs become resistant to other drugs. GISTs are treatable, earlier diagnosis and treatment can improve the chance of recovery.
Related Blogs
Related Video
Other Conditions & Treatments
Get Second Opinion
Our Medical Experts
Max Healthcare is home to 5000 eminent doctors in the world, most of whom are pioneers in their respective fields. Additionally, they are renowned for developing innovative and revolutionary clinical procedures.
