what is a gist

A gist is a term that can refer to different things depending on the context. In the medical field, GIST stands for gastrointestinal stromal tumor, which is a type of cancer that begins in the digestive system. GISTs are rare tumors that can start anywhere in the intestinal tract, but they happen most often in the stomach and small intestine. They are caused by the growth of cells that form from a special type of nerve cells in the walls of the digestive organs. Small GISTs may cause no symptoms, and they may grow so slowly that they dont cause problems at first. As a GIST grows, it can cause signs and symptoms such as stomach pain, bloating, and bleeding. The diagnosis of GISTs involves imaging tests to find the tumor and see its size. Treatment options for GISTs include surgery to remove the tumor, targeted drug therapy with Tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and clinical trials. The outlook for people with GIST has improved dramatically in the last 20 years, and some patients may be cured with surgery.