Oncologist-approved cancer information from the American Society
of Clinical Oncology Printer Friendly Download PDF
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor - GIST   ON THIS PAGE: You will
find some basic information about this disease and the parts of
the body it may affect. This is the first page of Cancer.Net’s
Guide to Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor. To see other pages, use
the colored boxes on the right side of your screen. Think of
those boxes as a roadmap to this full guide. Or, click “Next” at
the bottom of each page.  About the gastrointestinal tract  The
gastrointestinal (GI or digestive) tract includes the esophagus,
stomach, gallbladder, liver, small intestine, colon, rectum, and
lining of the gut. The GI tract plays a central role in
digesting food and liquid, and processing waste.  When food is
swallowed, it is pushed down a muscular tube called the
esophagus and enters the stomach. The muscles in the stomach mix
the food and release gastric juices that help break down and
digest the food. The food then