TriangleFOR PATIENTS · SOURCE READING
The results of diagnostic and staging tests are used to plan treatment.
Source: Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors Treatment (Adult) (PDQ®)–Patient Version, National Cancer Institute.
Source updated: August 28, 2020 · Captured 2026-09-09.
Selected source text with whitespace normalised. This Triangle page is not an NCI PDQ summary. Independent clinical review is pending.
For many cancers it is important to know the stage of the cancer in order to plan treatment. However, the treatment of GIST is not based on the stage of the cancer. Treatment is based on whether the tumor can be removed by surgery and if the tumor has spread to other parts of the abdomen or to distant parts of the body.
Treatment is based on whether the tumor is:
Resectable: These tumors can be removed by surgery .
Source links and citations
Unresectable: These tumors cannot be completely removed by surgery.
Source links and citations
Metastatic and recurrent: Metastatic tumors have spread to other parts of the body. Recurrent tumors have recurred (come back) after treatment. Recurrent GISTs may come back in the gastrointestinal tract or in other parts of the body. They are usually found in the abdomen, peritoneum, and/or liver.
Source links and citations
Refractory: These tumors have not gotten better with treatment.
Source links and citations
Preserved source evidence · Independent clinical review pending · Not medical advice