Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST)

Each year, around 4,000 to 6,000 adults in the United States are diagnosed with Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), which are a rare form of gastrointestinal tumor. These tumors, which originate from interstitial Cajal cells, account for most mesenchymal neoplasms within the digestive tract. Approximately 60% of GISTs start in the stomach, while about 35% develop in the small intestine. The remaining GISTs usually arise in the rectum, colon, and esophagus. Common clinical symptoms of GISTs include anemia, indigestion, bleeding, and abdominal pain triggered by stress. Most GISTs feature an activating mutation in either the KIT or PDGFRA gene. Moreover, the wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays a crucial role in the malignant transformation of these tumors and is therefore overexpressed in GISTs.