Signs and Symptoms of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors

Some gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are found by chance, before any symptoms develop. Symptoms from GISTs depend on their size, location, and how quickly they grow.

Most GISTs develop within the wall of the stomach or small intestine. These tumors might grow into the empty space inside the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, so they might not cause symptoms right away.

Symptoms related to blood loss

GISTs tend to be fragile tumors that bleed easily. In fact, they are often found because they cause bleeding into the GI tract. Signs and symptoms of this bleeding depend on how much bleeding occurs and where the tumor is located.

• Vomiting blood may be caused by brisk bleeding into the esophagus or stomach. When the blood is thrown up, it might be partially digested, so it can look like coffee grounds.
• Black and tarry stools might be caused by brisk bleeding into the stomach or small intestine.
• Bright red blood in or on the stool might be caused by brisk bleeding into the large intestine
• Feeling tired and weak might be caused by slow bleeding that leads to a low red blood cell count (anemia).

Bleeding from the GI tract can be very serious. If you have any of these signs or symptoms, see a doctor right away.

Other possible symptoms of GISTs

Other symptoms of GISTs can include:

• Abdominal (belly) pain
• A mass or swelling in the abdomen
• Nausea and vomiting
• Problems swallowing (for tumors in the esophagus)
• Feeling full after eating only a small amount of food
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Changes in bowel habits, like constipation

Some tumors grow large enough to block the passage of food through the stomach or intestine. This is called an obstruction, and it can cause severe abdominal pain and vomiting.

Because GISTs are often fragile, they can sometimes rupture, which can lead to a perforation (hole) in the wall of the GI tract. This can also result in severe abdominal pain.

An obstruction or perforation of the GI tract can be life-threatening and must be treated right away.

Although many of the possible symptoms of GISTs can be caused by things other than cancer, if you have these symptoms, especially if they last for more than a few days, it's important to see a doctor to find a cause.