Two Onc Docs Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST) 2025 UPDATE
Dec 8, 2025
Dive into the world of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) with expert insights. Discover the rare nature of GIST, its common symptoms, and disease incidence. Learn about key diagnostic tests and the critical molecular mutations like KIT and PDGFRA. Explore the effectiveness of surgery as a primary treatment and why traditional chemotherapy falls short. Get the latest on targeted therapies, including imatinib, avapritinib, and emerging clinical trial options. Essential updates for those navigating GIST management!
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GISTs Are Mesenchymal Sarcomas
- GISTs arise from mesenchymal interstitial cells of Cajal, not from epithelial cells.
- Treat them as sarcomas rather than GI adenocarcinomas.
Pathology And Molecular Testing Matter
- Most GISTs stain positive for KIT (CD117), CD34, and DOG1 on IHC.
- 85–90% have activating KIT mutations, so molecular testing is crucial.
Mutations Define Biology
- KIT and PDGFRA mutations are mutually exclusive and define therapy response.
- A minority are wild-type or SDH-deficient with different biology.