Surgical oncology
Gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST)
An uncommon tumour of the digestive tract wall, treated by complete removal — and, for some, by targeted medication before or after surgery.
In plain language
What this operation is
A GIST arises from cells in the wall of the digestive tract, most often the stomach or small intestine. It is not the same as the common stomach or bowel cancers, and it behaves differently.
Small GISTs frequently cause no symptoms and are found by chance during an endoscopy or scan. Larger ones may bleed, causing anaemia or black stools, or cause pain or a feeling of fullness.
Treatment is complete removal of the tumour. Unlike other gastrointestinal cancers, extensive lymph node clearance is usually not required, because GISTs rarely spread that way. Some cases also benefit from targeted medication before or after surgery, depending on risk.
Who it is for
When this operation is advised
- A tumour in the stomach or bowel wall found on endoscopy or CT
- Bleeding, anaemia or black stools from a known lesion
- A GIST above a size where removal is advised
- After targeted medication given to shrink a large tumour
And when it is not. Very small, low-risk GISTs found incidentally are sometimes monitored rather than removed. That is a decision based on size, position and features.
How it works
From assessment to follow-up
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01
First consultation
History, examination and review of every report and film you already have. Bring the actual films, not only the printed summaries.
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02
Diagnosis and staging
Biopsy confirms the diagnosis; imaging establishes how far the disease has gone. No treatment plan is made before this.
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03
The plan
Whether surgery is the right step, and in what order relative to chemotherapy or radiotherapy — agreed with you before anything is booked.
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04
Treatment and follow-up
The operation where appropriate, then the pathology report, and continuing follow-up.
Afterwards
What recovery involves
Recovery differs between patients. What follows is what usually happens — your own timeframe is given at discharge, based on the operation you actually had.
- Recovery depends on the operation performed and on your general health.
- A written discharge plan, wound-care guidance and a follow-up appointment are given before you leave.
- The pathology report usually takes some days and is discussed with you at follow-up.
- Whether further treatment is advised is decided once that report is available.
When to go to hospital instead
Vomiting blood, black stools, or severe abdominal pain needs emergency hospital care.
Common questions
Questions patients ask
Anything not covered here can be answered at the consultation.
01 Is a GIST the same as stomach cancer?
No. A GIST arises from a different cell type in the wall of the digestive tract, and it behaves differently — which is why the surgery and the additional treatment differ too.
Difference02 Why are lymph nodes not removed?
GISTs rarely spread through the lymph nodes, unlike the common stomach and bowel cancers. So the operation focuses on removing the tumour completely rather than on extensive node clearance.
Surgery03 Is medication needed as well as surgery?
For some GISTs, yes. Targeted medication may be used before surgery to shrink a large tumour, or afterwards where the risk of recurrence is higher. That is decided from the pathology.
MedicationNext step
Bring your reports to a consultation
Often one visit is enough to know whether an operation is needed at all.