title: Gastrointestinal stromal tumor.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  GISTs are a subset of mesenchymal tumors and represent the most common mesenchymal neoplasms of GI tract. However, GIST is a recently recognized tumor entity and the literature on these stromal tumors has rapidly expanded.
  
  
  METHODS
  An extensive review of the literature was carried out in both online medical journals and through Athens University Medical library. An extensive literature search for papers published up to 2009 was performed, using as key words, GIST, Cajal's cells, treatment, Imatinib, KIT, review of each study were conducted, and data were abstracted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  GIST has recently been suggested that is originated from the multipotential mesenchymal stem cells. It is estimated that the incidence of GIST is approximately 10-20 per million people, per year.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The clinical presentation of GIST is variable but the most usual symptoms include the presence of a mass or bleeding. Surgical resection of the local disease is the mainstay therapy. However, therapeutic agents, such as Imatinib have now been approved for the treatment of advanced GISTs and others, such as everolimus, rapamycin, heat shock protein 90 and IGF are in trial stage demonstrate promising results for the management of GISTs.
authors: 4th Department of Surgery, University of Athens, School of Medicine, Attikon General Hospital, Athens, Greece. stamatakosmih@yahoo.gr
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Stamatakos
authors: Emmanouel
authors: E
authors: Douzinas
authors: Charikleia
authors: C
authors: Stefanaki
authors: Panagiotis
authors: P
authors: Safioleas
authors: Electra
authors: E
authors: Polyzou
authors: Georgia
authors: G
authors: Levidou
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Safioleas
mesh_terms: D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D046152:Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans