How is gastrointestinal stromal tumour treated?

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours, or GISTs, arise from specialised cells in the digestive tract. The team considers the tumour's location, size, mitotic activity, whether it has spread and the result of molecular testing. These details help predict how it may behave and whether a medicine is likely to work.

Tumour removal surgery aims to remove the growth with a margin while avoiding rupture. The exact operation depends on whether it is in the stomach, small bowel or another part of the digestive system. Targeted therapy blocks signals that help many GIST cells grow. It may be given before surgery to make an operation easier, after surgery when recurrence risk is a concern, or as the main treatment for disease that cannot be removed or has spread.

Ask whether the tumour has been tested for changes that guide targeted therapy, and whether a specialist tumour board has reviewed the scans and biopsy. Discuss how treatment could affect eating, digestion and recovery. Take prescribed medicine consistently and tell the team about new pain, vomiting, black stools or visible blood in stool.

Arrange assessment for persistent abdominal pain, unexplained fatigue, vomiting or blood in stool. Seek emergency help for severe abdominal pain, fainting, a swollen abdomen, repeated vomiting or heavy gastrointestinal bleeding. During treatment, report fever, sudden pain or an inability to keep fluids down promptly.

Where is the tumour and can it be removed safely? What did molecular testing show? Would targeted therapy before or after surgery help? How will scans and blood tests monitor treatment? Which symptoms mean I should call the team the same day?