Gastro-intestinal stromal tumors (GIST)

Abstract

GISTs are the most common sarcomatous tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. They arise from the interstitial cells of Cajal which are the intestinal pacemaker cells controlling gut motility. They have unpredictable biologic behavior. Upper GI endoscopy and CT scan are diagnostic. Radical surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment. This may be accompanied by adjuvant therapy in the form of imatinib to prevent recurrence and improve the survival. Prognosis depends upon the tumor size and the mitotic index.