GIST

All currently available drug therapies in GIST have been tested in clinical studies in order to be approved today. These clinical studies lead to progress in GIST therapy and improved outlook for today’s patients. Controlled clinical studies are essential for determining the value of new treatments and their influence on the quality of life of…

GIST appears in different forms which range from small, almost unnoticeable 1-2 cm tumors to big, well isolated, operable tumors to bloody tissue proliferation and metastases that run through the abdominal tissue like pearls. All GIST are malignant and have the potential to spread among the whole body. In general: Early discovery and professional treatment…

The diagnostic steps that need to be taken are similar to the ones in soft-tissue sarcomas: The first measure is the evaluation of the patient’s medical history and a thorough clinical examination. However, when a lump is present, imaging tests are important to assist with diagnosis and so-called staging. Imaging processes create internal body images.…

Close monitoring of patients with GIST is essential. The aftercare intervals – every 3 to 6 months – depend on the risk groups, the methods of examination, the location of the primary tumour and the metastasis. The most important current methods of examination are the following: General body examination, sonography/ultrasound (limited!), blood analysis/lab values, and…

Many GISTs do not at first cause the patient any unusual or unpleasant symptoms, so they are often quite large before they are discovered. Those tumours are often discovered during emergency surgery for unexpected perforation of the gastrointestinal tract and consequent bleeding. The type of symptoms and when they first occur depends on the size…