Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST)

GIST is a tumor that originates in the gastrointestinal tract, can occur in the area of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine of the large intestine and rectum. GIST is also a tumor of mesenchymal origin. This tumor is one of the tumors that often occurs. In GIST, genetic disorders are the main cause. Genetic changes in one of several genes are involved in the formation of GIST. About 80 percent of cases are associated with mutations in the KIT gene, and about 10 percent of cases are associated with mutations in the PDGFRA gene. The most common complaints such as bleeding. In greater GIST The clinical manifestations that can appear are the following: pain, satiety, full sensai in the abdomen, palpable masses in the abdomen, fatigue, signs of focal or widespread peritonitis (accompanied by perforation).

Tumors of the gastrointestinal tract are usually found accidentally on radiological or endoscopic examinations. To establish the diagnosis of GIST can be carried out with several modalities. CT scans can be used to evaluate the size and character of tumors, as well as detect the presence of metastasis. MRI is useful if the tumor is thought to be in a fictionalized structure such as in the rectum or in the liver.

Small-sized GIST only needs to be observed periodically by an expert doctor. But for a larger tumor size, surgery and anti-tumor drug therapy are needed. The only non-surgical treatment is to be given therapy in the form of tyrosine kinase inhibitors.