Gastrointestinal stromal tumors: Review on morphology, molecular pathology, diagnostics, prognosis and treatment options
2010
Abstract
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common non-epithelial mesenachymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. GISTs represent a specific group of mesenchymal tumors with uncertain biological behaviors.
These tumors are assumed to originate from progenitor cells, usually unable to self-regenerate, which differentiate tuwards Cajal cells. Apart from common GISTs that occur predominantly in adulthood, a heterogeneous group of tumors has been described that are morphologically indentical with GIST, but have a specific clinical presentation and biological properties.