title: Management of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors.
abstract: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors had the reputation for poor outcomes because of their lack of response to nonsurgical interventions. The discovery of gain-of-function mutations involving receptor tyrosine kinase growth factor receptors altered the biological understanding and management. Beginning in 2000, management of these tumors has changed dramatically because of the availability of tyrosine kinase inhibitors. The role of surgery continues to be refined. This article reviews how surgery and systemic therapy are being used, incorporating definitions of risk. Decisions on how to treat a patient is based on the risk of progression, pathologic characteristics, and tumor location.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology/Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, C-218, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA. Electronic address: Margaret.vonmehren@fccc.edu.
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: von Mehren
mesh_terms: D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D019468:Disease Management; D046152:Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans
keywords: Adjuvant therapy; GIST; KIT; Metastasectomy; Neoadjuvant therapy; PDGFRA; SDH-deficient GIST; Tyrosine kinase inhibitors