Do Gist Tumors Metastasize?

The areas where metastatic GIST tumors may have spread include the: Liver – The liver is the most common location where GIST tumors spread. Peritoneum – The peritoneum is the membrane lining the abdomen and is another common area where GIST tumors may metastasize.

Can GIST tumors spread?

GIST cells can sometimes spread to other parts of the body. For instance, GIST cells in the stomach might travel to the liver and grow there. When cancer cells do this, it's called metastasis. To doctors, the cancer cells in the new place look just like the ones from the stomach.

What percentage of GIST tumors are malignant?

Eighteen percent (range, 5–40%) of GISTs were discovered incidentally. GISTs were found in the stomach (56%) (Figure 1), small bowel (32%) (Figure 2), colon and rectum (6%) (Figure 3), esophagus (0.7%), and other locations (5.5%) (15). About 10% to 30% of GISTs progress to malignancy.