What is the treatment for GIST – gastrointestinal stromal tumour?
GIST is a rare type of sarcoma found in the digestive system, most often in the wall of the stomach. Some GISTS are benign (not cancerous) but they can become cancerous if not treated. Generally speaking, the larger the GIST, the more likely it is to be cancerous. These tumours have a rather complicated name. Gastrointestinal means they start in the digestive system (the gastrointestinal tract). Stromal means they develop from tissues that support the connective tissues controlling the movements of the gut. Tumour means a lump or growth in the body. About 6 out of 10 (60%) of these tumours start in the stomach, but they can begin anywhere in the digestive system, for example in the bowel or food pipe (oesophagus). Very rarely, they develop outside the gastrointestinal tract. These tumours are most common occur in people between 50 and 70 years old. We don’t really know the cause but if you have the genetic condition called neurofibromatosis (NF) it can increase the risk of developing a
