How GIST Differs From Other GI Cancers

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is a rare type of cancer that starts in the stroma, the supportive tissue beneath the inner lining of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, according to Dr. Weijing Sun.

In a video interview with CURE, Sun explains that while most GI cancers — such as those of the stomach, colon or esophagus — begin in the epithelial cells on the surface lining, GIST originates deeper in the GI wall and belongs to the sarcoma family. It can occur anywhere along the GI tract, though most cases arise in the stomach.

Sun is the Sprint Professor of Medical Oncology, as well as a professor of Medical Oncology and Cancer Biology, and the director of Medical Oncology Division at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. He also serves as the associate director of the University of Kansas Cancer Center.

Transcript

What exactly is GIST, and how does it differ from more common gastrointestinal cancers?

The full name is gastrointestinal stromal tumor. “Gastrointestinal,” people know, refers to the GI system. “Stromal” refers to the type of cells — they’re the cells below the inner lining, called stroma. Most of the time when we talk about GI cancers, we’re referring to tumors that start in the epithelial cells, the cells that line the surface of the GI tract. But with GIST, it starts below those cells — in the stroma — that’s what makes it different.

The tumor, as everybody knows, is just abnormal cell growth, and in this case, it’s abbreviated as GIST. Now, how it’s different from more typical GI cancers like esophageal, stomach, colon or rectal cancer is that those usually arise from the surface lining cells. GIST can actually occur anywhere along the GI tract, including the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon or rectum — but the majority come from the stomach.

Because of where it originates — in the supporting stromal tissue, not the surface lining — GIST belongs to the sarcoma family of cancers. That’s what sets it apart from the more common types of GI cancers.

Transcript has been edited for clarity and conciseness

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