title: Practical aspects of risk assessment in gastrointestinal stromal tumors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, which are characterized in the majority of cases by activating mutations in KIT and platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA). The introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors has revolutionized the management of patients with metastatic GIST. However, complete surgical resection remains the mainstay of management for those with localized disease. Recently, three large trials have confirmed the benefit of adjuvant imatinib therapy in patients who were at high risk of recurrence following complete resection. In this setting, it is critical that oncologists understand the various GIST risk assessment criteria and be able to apply these methods to accurately assess the risk of recurrence and the need for adjuvant imatinib therapy.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this review is to outline the risk stratification systems currently available to oncologists who are treating patients with GIST, so they can be optimally applied for clinical decision-making.
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Oncology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, University of Washington, 825 Eastlake Avenue East, G-3630, Seattle, WA, 98109-1023, USA, rjones@seattlecca.org.
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001549:Benzamides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D015975:Consensus Development Conferences, NIH as Topic; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D046152:Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D008940:Mitotic Index; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D009154:Mutation; D049451:Nomograms; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011379:Prognosis; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D047368:Tumor Burden; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001549:Benzamides; D010879:Piperazines; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011743:Pyrimidines; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate