Anemia and gastrointestinal bleeding are among the many most typical signs for sufferers with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), defined Dr. Rosario Ligresti, chief of Gastroenterology and Interventional Endoscopy at Hackensack Meridian Well being.
Ligresti famous that signs of GIST typically rely on the dimensions and site of the tumor. Whereas many sufferers haven’t any signs and are identified by the way — typically throughout an endoscopy for one more motive — bigger tumors might ulcerate and bleed, trigger problem swallowing, or current as a palpable stomach mass. Though GISTs can develop within the small bowel, esophagus or colon, Ligresti mentioned they mostly happen within the abdomen.
Ligresti sat down for an interview with CURE to delve into the subject.
Transcript:
What are the most typical signs or indicators sufferers with GIST may expertise earlier than being identified?
Nearly all of gastrointestinal stromal tumors, or GISTs, differ in signs relying on their location and measurement. The most typical location for GISTs is the abdomen — in all probability about 60% to 65% of the circumstances I see happen there. That is doubtless as a result of the abdomen is a really muscular organ, and these tumors come up from the muscular supporting construction of the gastrointestinal tract. They can be situated within the small bowel, esophagus or colon, however far much less generally. Signs are largely decided by the tumor’s location.
If the tumors are small, sufferers typically haven’t any signs in any respect, and the tumors are discovered by the way. As they develop bigger, they will ulcerate, resulting in bleeding. They could trigger bother swallowing in the event that they hinder the esophagus or abdomen. Typically, sufferers might really feel a mass when palpating the stomach. Relying on location, GISTs may cause anemia, bleeding, problem swallowing or pressure-related results. The truth is, the overwhelming majority are found by the way, typically throughout an endoscopy for one more motive, like reflux. If signs do happen, the most typical are anemia or bleeding.
Transcript has been edited for readability and conciseness.
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