🌟 Let's Talk About GIST! 🌟
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST) might sound complicated, but here is a clear, short breakdown of this rare disease and what's currently important to know.
What is a GIST?
Imagine your digestive tract (stomach, intestines, etc.) has special "pacemaker" cells called the interstitial cells of Cajal. GIST is a type of soft tissue growth that most often starts in these cells. It's the most common kind of soft tissue growth found in the digestive system.
Location: Most often found in the stomach or small intestine.
Symptoms: Many GISTs are small and cause no symptoms, sometimes found incidentally during other tests. If symptoms do occur, they can include tummy pain, feeling full quickly, or bleeding in the digestive system (which can lead to fatigue/anemia).