Where in the body do GISTs most often occur?
The majority of GISTs arise in the stomach (50% to 70%) or small intestine (20% to 30%). However, they can occur anywhere along the gastrointestinal (GI) tract—esophagus, rectum, colon, and, rarely, in other locations. GISTs have a high risk of growth and may spread (metastasize) from the primary (original) tumor site to other locations in the body if not treated. In GIST the most common sites for metastasis are the liver and the abdominal membranes. GISTs can also spread to the lungs, lymph nodes, and other locations outside of the abdomen, but these are very uncommon.
