title: Pediatric gastrointestinal stromal tumors.
abstract: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) rarely occur in pediatric patients, but increased recognition of adult GIST has led to better awareness of the existence of this entity in the pediatric population. GIST occurring in pediatric patients has a unique biology and clinical behavior and warrants discussion as an independent entity. The generally accepted definition of pediatric GIST is a tumor that is diagnosed at the age of 18 years or younger. This review highlights the clinical features, molecular biology, and clinical management of this rare pediatric entity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Cancer Center, 6621 Fannin Street, CC1510.00, Houston, TX 77030, USA. aspappo@txccc.org
authors.forename: Alberto S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Pappo
authors.forename: Katherine A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Janeway
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms; D046152:Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000235:genetics; D013385:Succinate Dehydrogenase / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D013385:Succinate Dehydrogenase; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases