Does GIST Surgery Depend on Where My Tumor Is Found?

Surgery may be used to remove a GIST as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. There are several different types of surgery that can be performed, including a simple tumor resection or a more complex procedure to remove a large portion of the gastrointestinal tract. Additionally, some procedures can be performed using minimally invasive techniques.

Factors that can impact a person’s surgical treatment plan

There are several things that can influence a person’s treatment plan. These factors include:

• The size of the tumor
• Where the tumor is located in the gastrointestinal tract
• The structure of the blood vessels that are delivering blood to the tumor
• Whether cancerous cells have spread outside of the original tumor
• The patient’s age and medical history

Oncologists also consider the other types of treatment that a patient has had or is planning to have. In some situations, targeted therapy is recommended after GIST surgery to reduce the likelihood that the tumor will come back.

GIST surgery at Moffitt Cancer Center

At Moffitt Cancer Center, we develop unique treatment plans for every patient. When performing GIST surgery, our surgeons use advanced approaches to help produce the best possible outcomes and quality of life. And, as a high-volume cancer center, we treat more people with gastrointestinal stromal tumors than other, smaller cancer centers, which means that our surgeons are among the most highly experienced when it comes to performing both traditional and minimally invasive GIST surgeries.

If you’d like to learn more about GIST surgery, you can request a consultation with Moffitt’s Gastrointestinal Oncology Program with or without a referral. To request an appointment, call 1-888-663-3488 or submit a new patient registration form online.