Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (gist) Removal

What happens after surgery when you have a GI stromal tumor (GIST) removed from your stomach? I am wondering about the recovery period and how long it takes to recover? I have one 2 inches in my stomach and need surgery. It's not cancer but still should come out. I wonder why? Help, someone talk to me.

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Are you sure its not cancer? Have they done a biopsy? I was told that i had one 7in by 4in. After removal i was put on Gleevac (Oral Chemo Pill) 400 mg for a year and a half. Then found out I had tumors in liver. They changed my meds to 800mg Gleevac. It is supposed to reduce the growth of the tumors. Now, they have me on Sutent because my body got used to the Gleevac.

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Re: Wayne (# 1)

Sorry to hear this, will pray for you.This cancer stuff can be serious, have they considered radiation?
Sam

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Hi ! I'm sorry to hear your bad news., however, your recovery time and what to expect will depend on the technique used. I had mine done robotically, I felt great afterward other than the soreness of incision on the stomach. I had 4 small incisions at, around and near the naval. Talk to your doctor and ask what technique and what to expect. He or She should provide you with corresponding literature. Hope this helps.

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These tumors have a tendency to bleed and hinder absorption of nutrients. There isn't clear evidence showing that the tumor may become malignant after time. Therefore most physicians will want to remove them. They can do this with small tumors via gastroenterology, or scoping the stomach. Like any surgery it will take about 6 weeks healing and you'll be on a special diet for awhile while healing. You need to talk to your doctor and ask him about everything that concerns you. He's your #1 teacher. He can give you more details. If you're not satisfied then by all means get a second opinion. Sometimes it's a good idea anyway just to put your mind at ease.
Good luck & keep us posted.

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Re: Sam (# 2)

HI MY BROTHER IS A PHYSICIAN OUT OF STATE AND I REMEMBER WHEN HIS PRECIOUS WIFE GOT BREAST CA -THEY REFUSED RADIATION(she's also a PA) WHEN I ASKED WHY HE SAID PEOLE DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT OTHER ORGANS CAN BE HARMED GREATLY BY RADIATION. SHE DID CHEMO LONGER AS OPPOSED TO RADIATION. SO IF MY BRO DOC DOESN'T WNAT IT FOR HIS BELOVED, THAT'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME. NEVER RAADIATION FOR ME. ...just sayin'

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Re: Angry 65 year old (# 5)

Sam, that's true. Radiation can harm other organs but they've come a long way in making it very precise to the site of cancer. It's safer now then it used to be. Most doctors highly recommend radiation before chemo in breast cancer patients. Survival rates are higher with radiation and chemo. How long ago did she have the chemo? Chemo isn't real easy on the organs either. I hope she recovers and has no reoccurance. My prayers are with her. I had cancer when I was 20 and can happily say I'm cancer free today. Best of luck!

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Re: Wayne (# 1)

Best of luck in your fight against cancer! My prayers are with you and everyone else with this horrible disease.

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Re: Wayne (# 1)

They want me to do chemo for 2weeks to guarantee it doesn't come back but I refused!!!

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Hi! I completely understand about not wanting to do chemo or radiation, however, it is important to know the staging and if isolated also if the dr. felt all cancer was removed during the surgery and if lymph nodes, tissue and etc were affected. Most surgeons in a case of cancer of intestine usually do a liquid form during surgery and a round of chemo after as a safeguard. I would ask these pertinent questions and seek a 2nd opinion with a oncologist maybe even get a 3rd opinion. The stage really matters. I hope this helps and good luck, I will pray for you.

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Re: Steve (# 8)

I was informed that Chemo and Radiation didnt work on GIST tumors. I never had either,except for a Chemo pill.

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Re: Steve (# 8)

They recommend this to "try" to ensure that all the cancer cells that may remain after surgery are destroyed. Doctors usually take more tissue then what is needed to try and get all the cancer out. Some cancer cells may still remain in spite of that so they use radiation to kill the cells that may still be there. That's the reasoning behind the radiation but only you know what's right for you and how much you want to do.

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Iipamelaq (# 3) --

I am still vomiting 6weeks later after surgery and had the same thing you had please help me understand.

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Re: Steve (# 12)

I can't give medical advice per se, I'm not a doctor or nurse, however, if it were me I would go to my doctor or seek a 2nd or 3rd opinion. I would have with me my operative report and all pathology reports. My husband has this surgery and ended up with cancer of the appendix. They think they have it all, but we consulted with an Oncologist and he is scheduled for a 3 day Osctero Scan to insure the cancer did not attach to anything. You need to follow thru with discussion with your doctors. I will pray for you and wish you the best of luck. P.S. All patient's are different and so will their experiences. Please keep this in mind.

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