What is new in GIST in the last 12 months?

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In this presentation from the ESMO 20th World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer, Dr. John Zalcberg discusses the latest advances in the treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST).

[@Reme873]

Powerful presentation .

[@alphaomegastables]

If your GIST was removed thru laparoscopic surgery completely, is it necessary to continue with a Gleevec therapy for 5 years?

[@mrbeach026]

Not a Doctor only a past / current GIST patient
One only GIST / GIST removal is not in itself a sign of future problems but you need to have regular scans to ensure it doesnt return
Mine did after 6 year and involved surgery again
That it returned a second time means it earns the tagline metastatic
At this point it is well assumed it will return again so you need to go onto meds like Gleevec or Sutent
I have proven intolerant to these drugs so am moving onto another one - tbc
You must stay in touch with your GP / oncologist and have lost of scans as well as throwing down some meds
Lots of advances and lots of new drugs to fight this thing
Good luck

[@flyingmorningdew]

it might be important to keep the residual cancer cells in check, as it is impossible to be 100% certain for surgery removal to be 100%.

[@ralemc1960]

I’m a new gist patient. It depends on the size of tumor and if it can be removed with clear margins. I hit two high risk factors. Size of tumor and in the best way I can explain the percentage of cancer in the biopsy. They are presently doing genetic markers or filters on my tumor to see what type of medication I will be on. By percentages of cases I was told probably gleevec. This stuff is hard for me to understand. With exons and kit levels. I hope I helped in some way.

[@ralemc1960]

Make sure you keep up with cat scans and it is my understanding it is better if the tumor was found in the stomach. But follow up with your oncologist and ask!

[@alphaomegastables]

@@mrbeach026 Thank you John..so far, 1 yr out, all is well!!