The gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is a rare malignant cancer that normally appears in the stomach and the initial part of the intestine, but it can also appear in other parts of the digestive system, such as the esophagus, large intestine or anus, for example.
Generally, gastrointestinal stromal tumor is more frequent in the elderly and adults over 40 years old, especially when there is a family history of the disease or the patient suffers from neurofibromatosis.
The gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), although malignant, develops slowly and, therefore, there are great chances of cure when it is diagnosed in the initial phase, and treatment can be done using drugs or surgery.
Gastrointestinal stromal tumor symptoms
Symptoms of gastrointestinal stromal tumor can include:
- Abdominal pain or discomfort; Excessive tiredness and nausea; Fever above 38ºC and chills, especially at night; Weight loss without apparent cause; Vomiting with blood; Dark or bloody stools;
However, in most cases, the gastrointestinal stromal tumor has no symptoms, and the problem is often discovered when the patient has anemia and undergoes ultrasound or endoscopy exams to identify possible abdominal bleeding.
Treatment for gastrointestinal stromal tumor
Treatment for gastrointestinal stromal tumor should be indicated by a gastroenterologist, but it is usually done with surgery to remove the affected part of the digestive system, eliminating or reducing the tumor.
During surgery, if it is necessary to remove a large part of the intestine, the surgeon may have to create a permanent hole in the belly for the stool to escape, accumulating in a pouch attached to the belly.
However, in some cases, the tumor may be very small or be in a difficult place to operate and, therefore, the doctor may only indicate the daily use of medications, such as Imatinib or Sinutinib, which delay the growth of the tumor, avoiding symptoms.
