Gastrointestinal stromal tumor

It is difficult for anyone to receive a cancer diagnosis, but when someone who is younger than average finds out they have gastrointestinal cancer, they may face other challenges.

In a recent interview with CURE®, an expert from Fox Chase Cancer Center discussed gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) and addressed a multitude of topics including common symptoms associated with the disease, and potential future therapies that may be beneficial for patients.

Results of a preliminary clinical trial show that MK-1775 — an investigational therapy — as a single agent, or in combination with Ayvakit, may be effective in the treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors. However, one of the study’s authors notes that further research is needed to determine a benefit in patients.

The data in the study presented at the ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium demonstrated that while rare, stage 4 gastrointestinal stromal tumors often spread to the liver.

A group of patients with gastrointestinal cancers reported that a novel artificial intelligence-based search tool made it easier for them to find and understand cancer clinical trials. The tool, according to study authors, would not only help with trial accrual, but could also help improve trial diversity.

The targeted drug Qinlock, which interferes with the activity of proteins that drive gastrointestinal stromal tumor, has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for patients with advanced disease that has progressed despite treatment with other kinase inhibitors.

Patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors have a new targeted therapy that looks to tackle secondary mutations after it showed a strong response rate in the clinic.

The Food and Drug Administration approved Ayvakit for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor who exhibited a platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha exon 18 mutation.

How zeroing in on the mutation in gastrointestinal stromal tumors is adding years to patients’ lives

The Life Raft Group, a patient advocacy organization, is teaming up with research organizations to hopefully find the next wave of treatment for patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Identified only a decade-and-a-half ago, GIST is already treatable with several targeted therapies, and scientists are researching more.

Moving back into the light.

The hospital agreed to release me back into the wild.

Is this a hospital or have I stepped on the "wayback machine" with the dial set to 1970?

The medical team had reached some conclusions.

This is how I became hospital property.

Twenty strokes signaled that there was trouble, though no one would have suspected a tumor.

A competition and mural project allow those affected by cancer to express themselves through art.

New York artist and GIST survivor, Ellen Mayer, painted "Balancing Act" to describe how she felt about her cancer experience. The artwork was later selected as one of 10 pieces to be publicly painted for The Hope Murals Project.

Regorafenib, which targets two cancer cell pathways, extended survival in both cancers in two separate studies for GIST and metastatic colorectal cancer.

Chef Hans Rueffert, 37, helps others understand that it's quality, not quantity, of food that matters.

What is multidisciplinary care, and where can patients get it?

Treatment updates from the 2009 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium.

Revlimid is approved for certain types of myelodysplastic syndrome, and Sutent was approved for both advanced kidney cancer and gastrointestinal stromal tumor.