GIST is the short term for gastrointestinal tumors. The term gastrointestinal implies they start in the gastrointestinal tract. GIST is a sporadic kind of sarcoma tumors that affects the digestive system, particularly stomach walls. The tumors grow from tissues that provide support to tissues that control gut movement. Generally, GIST is benign but can turn cancerous if they are not treated. The chances of GIST to turn cancerous is largely determined by their size; the larger the size the higher the risk of turning cancerous. GIST tumors may begin at any point within the digestive system including the esophagus. However, majority of GIST tumors begin in the stomach and rarely grow outside gastrointestinal tracts. GIST tumors affect persons aged beyond 50 years. While the exact cause is unknown, individuals with a genetic condition known as neurofibromatosis are at a higher risk of developing GIST. GIST is rare among children.

Key Signs of GIST

At the early stages, persons with GIST show no symptoms. The only way to establish that a person has GIST at this stage is through tests on other health conditions. In most cases, GIST is diagnosed during later phases. Signs of a progressive GIST often include discomfort or pain in the abdomen, feeling full and sickly, blood stains on vomit or stool, fatigue, and declining counts of red blood cells. However, these signs are not exclusive to GIST. Anybody experiencing these symptoms should see a doctor as GIST does not occur frequently and such symptoms may be as a result of ailments that are less fatal.

Treating GIST

In most cases, GIST tumors are treated through surgical procedures. However, this process cures tiny tumors are tiny and is less effective in removing large tumors completely. Where GIST is widespread in other parts of the body, surgical procedure can remove the secondary growths as well.