What is Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumour?
The gastrointestinal stromal tumour is a rare type of cancer that originates from the uncontrolled division or multiplication of cells found in any part or organ of the gastrointestinal tract i.e. stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus. It usually develops in the stomach and small intestine but can also develop anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract. The gastrointestinal stromal tumour is a rare tumour and accounts for less than 1% of all types of stomach and intestinal tumours. It is more common in females than males and commonly affects children and young adults.Disease Causes
There is no well-known cause, however, certain hereditary diseases such as neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and the Carney triad are considered responsible for the development of gastrointestinal stromal tumours.Symptoms
The patient may suffer from the following signs and symptoms. These are- Melena (Presence of blood in stool)
- Hematemesis ( Bloody vomiting)
- Severe pain in the abdomen
- Pains in the body
- dysphagia( difficult swallowing)
- Appetite diminishes after eating little.
Diagnosis
The following diagnostic tests and procedures can be used to make a diagnosis. These are- Ultrasound (USG) of the abdomen
- Endoscopic examination of the anus, rectum, and large intestine. Endoscopy is a procedure that allows the doctor to visualize the internal organs of the body directly through the endoscope.
- Computed tomography (CT-pelvis) helps to differentiate squamous cell cancer of the rectum from anal cancer.
- Biopsy of the lesion/tumour and histopathological examination
- Barium Meal