Acronym

GIST - Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumour

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumour

Mesenchymal tumour of gastrointestinal tract; KIT-positive; arise from Cajal cells

Expansion

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumour

Purpose

Can occur anywhere gastrointestinal tract; stomach most common; risk of metastases

Clinical Context

Gastrointestinal stromal tumour: KIT-positive spindle cell tumour. Stomach (50 to 60 percent) most common. Computed tomography shows well-demarcated mass, may show necrosis. Imatinib (Gleevec) effective therapy.

  • Gastrointestinal malignancy
  • Sarcoma

Key Points

  • “Gastrointestinal stromal tumour: well-circumscribed mass on computed tomography, may show necrosis or haemorrhage; KIT mutations drive imatinib therapy”