Is a Blood Test the Key to Early Detection of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors?
A blood test
has been developed to detect GIST tumors early, potentially reducing the need
for invasive surgery to remove cancer. What does this mean for patients with
GISTs? Read on to find out!
What are GISTs?
GISTs
develop from mesenchymal stem cells, usually present in our bodies. They have
an inherent capacity to become several different cell types and can develop
into bone, cartilage, fat, or muscle. In rare cases, they may also form tumors.
It’s
estimated that GISTs occur in around one in every 100,000 people worldwide,
with one-third occurring in adults under 50 years old. The most common sign is
painless swelling and enlargement of part of your body (e.g., your stomach),
but GISTs can grow almost anywhere on your body, including on your heart.
What
Causes GISTs?
Every year,
millions of people are diagnosed with cancer. Unfortunately, there are still
many types that remain difficult to detect and diagnose early. Gastrointestinal
stromal tumors (GISTs) are one such type because there aren’t many reliable
tests for detecting and monitoring them. One potential solution might lie in Chughtai lab
reports.
But it’s
essential to recognize how patients or physicians could misuse them. Read on
for more information about GISTs, their treatment options, and whether it’s
safe for consumers to share Chughtai reports with healthcare providers.
Symptoms
and diagnosis
While some
symptoms are more familiar with gastrointestinal stromal tumors than others,
such as nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, and swelling or pain in other
areas like the back, bones, or joints, it is essential to note that they can
sometimes be very vague. A gastrointestinal stromal tumor may not cause
symptoms until it grows vast and begins pressing on adjacent organs.
Additionally,
people experiencing gastric ulcers may mistake them for signs of GISTs. If you
have questions about your symptoms or concerns about an undiagnosed cancer
problem, talk with your doctor about ordering an online lab test. Online lab
tests can provide peace of mind for you and your doctor by diagnosing severe
conditions quickly so treatment can begin without delay if necessary.
Treatment
Options
There are
several treatment options for gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Treatment
generally begins with surgical removal, as that is often curative. The problem
is that these tumors are aggressive and have an unpredictable growth pattern
meaning they tend to recur or metastasize if they aren’t removed entirely.
In some
cases, even after surgery, specific procedures like chemo-radiation therapy
might be required. Our online lab test
in Pakistan can help you determine if surgery is right for you by
informing you about your general health status and risk factors that may affect
how aggressive your GIST is likely to be.
0 Comments