Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor

This review describes the current multidisciplinary management of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), which is the most common sarcoma of the gastrointestinal tract. Before 2001, surgery was the only effective therapy for GIST.
• Perioperative Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors for GIST: Further Investigation?
• Controversies in the Surgical Management of GIST in the Era of Imatinib

The impact of neoadjuvant drug therapy needs to be further classified and explored. With additional evaluation of other tyrosine kinase inhibitors and novel therapies against other molecular markers, the treatment paradigm for this malignancy should continue to evolve.
• Treatment of GIST: Clarifying the Data

We report a case of a patient who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome after initial treatment with sunitinib, with recurrent symptoms upon reintroducing the drug. This is the first report of such an effect.
• Is Guillain Barré Syndrome Likely in This Patient?

The molecular and genomic determinants of response/resistance patterns are the subject of ongoing studies, and adjuvant studies are also under way. The initial evaluations of imatinib provide proof of concept for the hypothesis-driven design of selective molecularly targeted therapies for solid tumor malignancies.
• Commentary (Blanke)
• Commentary (Palesty et al)

A 58-year-old male presents with chief complaints of bloating, vague abdominal pain, and dark black stools. He is referred to a gastroenterologist who recommends upper and lower endoscopy.