KIT+ GIST Diagnosis
KIT+ GIST Diagnosis
Diagnosing KIT–positive gastrointestinal stromal tumor (KIT+ GIST) is difficult because there is often a lack of symptoms in the early stages of the cancer. Most patients learn about the disease during routine, common tests, which is just another reason to have regular visits with your doctor.
If your doctor suspects that you may have a tumor in your gastrointestinal tract, there are a few different tools and tests used to investigate the state of your disease. Click here to learn more about diagnosing KIT+ GIST at myGISTCircle.com.
| Test/Procedure | Description |
|---|---|
Endoscopy |
A slim, flexible, lighted tube with a small video camera on the end, called an endoscope, is inserted down through the mouth or up through the anus (a colonoscopy). |
Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) |
Instead of a camera, EUS uses a high-frequency ultrasound to create clear images of the wall of the esophagus, stomach, intestine, or rectum. |
Laparoscopy |
A small incision is made near the stomach and a thin, lighted tube is inserted to look inside the abdominal organs. |
Computed Tomography (CT/CAT) Scan |
This scan helps your doctor measure the size and number of your tumors. It may be done in combination with an intravenous (IV) dye and an oral liquid to help the doctor better see your GI tract. |
MRI |
An MRI uses radio waves and large magnets to create images of your body. MRIs are often used to see if tumors have come back or spread to other parts of your body. |
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan |
A PET scan shows whether tumor cells are "alive" or "dead." You may be injected with a nonharmful dye to help living tumor cells show up clearly. |
Each test above helps your doctor determine the location and size of the tumor, as well as discover if the disease has metastasized. About 75% of patients have localized tumors, meaning the cancer has not spread outside the GI tract, and 25% have tumors that have spread to other sites.
If there is any evidence of GIST, a small tissue sample, called a biopsy, may be taken for further testing. A tissue specialist called a pathologist will examine the sample to determine if the tumor is malignant or benign, the type of cancer, and how rapidly the disease might be spreading. If the tumor is identified as a GIST, a test called kit-staining will be performed on the tissue sample to see if the protein KIT is present. If KIT is found, a diagnosis of KIT+ GIST can be made, and GLEEVEC may be a treatment option.
These tests identify key factors in helping your team of doctors develop the optimal treatment plan for you. To learn more about what doctors might play a role in diagnosing and treating your KIT+ GIST, use the Healthcare Team interactive tool hosted at myGISTcircle.com.
