SEOM guidelines for gastrointestinal stromal sarcomas (GIST).

Gastrointestinal stromal sarcomas (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumours originating in the digestive tract. These tumours have become a model of multidisciplinary work in oncology: the participation of several specialities (oncologists, pathologists, surgeons, molecular biologists, radiologists and others) has allowed advances in the understanding of this tumour and the consolidation of a targeted therapy, imatinib, as the first molecular treatment that is efficacious in solid tumours. Following the introduction of this drug, median survival of patients with advanced stage GIST has gone from 18 to more than 60 months. Therapy planning of GIST must be considered within a multidisciplinary context, and it is advisable that it takes place in reference centres for the care of sarcomas and GIST participating in clinical trials.