Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST)
A disease of the muscle cells found in the gastrointestinal tract. GIST is a type of sarcoma and is a relatively rare condition. It is most commonly found in the stomach but can also arise in the small intestine, rectum, esophagus, and colon. Radiation to the gastrointestinal tract and certain genetic disorders are known risk factors for GIST, but most causes are unknown.
The stage of GIST can vary at diagnosis and throughout treatment. Stages of GIST include I, II, III, and IV. The effectiveness of the treatment may depend upon the stage at diagnosis.