What are the symptoms of GIST?

GIST tend to grow as rounded tumors and cause symptoms because of erosion into the stomach, small intestine or colon.  This usually results in bleeding as the first indication of the tumor.  The tumors can also blocked the intestine causing bloating or nausea and vomiting.  Small GIST often causes no symptoms and are identified on endoscopies or CT scans performed for other reasons.

How are GIST diagnosed?

It is usually necessary to perform a biopsy to diagnose a GIST. Biopsies can be performed using upper GI endoscopy or colonoscopy for tumors of the stomach and colon and rectum.  Tumors elsewhere in the abdomen may require CT scan guided needle biopsies for diagnosis.  Because GIST begin within the wall of the gastrointestinal tract they may not be present on the inner surface where they can be biopsied with a colonoscope or upper GI endoscope.  In this case a procedure called and endoscopic ultrasound is necessary to get a biopsy from deep in the bowel wall.  Specialized tests done by a pathologist can’t definitively diagnose GIST with a tiny biopsy specimen.  In addition to endoscopies, CT scans and PET/CT scans can be helpful to determine whether a GIST has spread beyond the location in the gastrointestinal tract where it originated. GIST are seen particularly well on PET scans.

What causes GIST?

Most GIST result from chance mutations to a gene called KIT.  This resulted in abnormal growth of the interstitial cells of Cajal resulting in a lump or mass.  Most patients with GIST are the only ones in their family to develop the tumors but there are rare families that carry a gene abnormality leading to the formation of GIST among multiple members of the family.

How are GIST treated?

When GIST have not spread beyond the organ where they started, surgical removal is the primary treatment used.  When the tumors are large requiring an operation that would be difficult to perform or recover from, we will often use targeted medications that can shrink the tumor and make it easier to remove.  These medicines, called tyrosine kinase inhibitors, are pills that directly affect the abnormal metabolism of GIST.  After taking these medicines for several months, the tumor is often much more easily removed. These medications are also used at the tumor has spread to other organs beyond where they started.  If the tumor is particularly large or has features under the microscope suggestive of more aggressive growth, we may also use these medicines after surgery.

Most GIST can be resected completely using a minimally invasive approach with laparoscopy or robotic surgery using tiny incisions for less scar tissue and quick recovery. Dr. Ellenhorn is an expert at the evaluation and management of GIST. He has been performing open and minimally invasive operations for the resection of GIST for over 20 years.

What is the prognosis of GIST?

GIST can vary in their aggressiveness from being almost benign tumors to metastatic malignant tumors.  When GIST are small they are usually cured  following surgical removal.  When the tumors are larger and have microscopic signs of rapid cell division, the prognosis is not as good but can be improved with the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitor medicines after surgery.  When tumors have spread to other organs like the liver, tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment is usually initiated. It is often possible to surgically remove areas of GIST spread following treatment with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor medications.

Laparoscopic Resection of Gastric GIST_ a Simplified Approach