Clinical Practice Guideline for Accurate Diagnosis and Effective Treatment of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor in Korea / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

Despite their rarity in incidence and prevalence, gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) have emerged as a distinct and noteworthy pathogenetic entity. The clinical management of GISTs has rapidly evolved due to the recent elucidation of their oncogenic signal transduction pathway and the introduction of molecular-targeted therapies. Successful management of GISTs requires a multidisciplinary approach firmly based on an accurate histopathologic diagnosis. In 2007, the Korean GIST study group published the first guideline for optimal diagnosis and treatment of GISTs in Korea. The second version of the guideline was published in 2010. Herein, we provide the results of relevant clinical studies for the purpose of further revision to the guideline. We expect this new guideline will enhance the accuracy of diagnosis, as performed by members of the Korean associate of physicians involved in GIST patient care, thus improving the efficacy of treatment.

Nutritional treatment after gastrectomy

Nutrition plays a major role in cancer development and treatment. Malnutrition is a significant and common problem in cancer patients and has been recognized as an important component of adverse outcomes, including increased morbidity and mortality. At the time of diagnosis, the majority of patients with upper gastrointestinal cancer, including those having undergone gastrectomy, have already suffered from significant nutritional deficiencies. Therefore, optimization of nutritional status can help cancer patients maintain the body's nutrition stores and improve symptoms such as anemia and neuropathy that may be associated with nutritional deficiencies. Depending on the etiology of symptoms, iron or Vitamin B12 (injection or oral) may be given. Early recognition and detection of risk for malnutrition may be performed using nutrition screening followed by comprehensive assessments. The most effective approach to malnutrition and nutritional deficiency is the prevention of its initiation through nutrition monitoring and intervention.

Clinical Practice Guideline for Accurate Diagnosis and Effective Treatment of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor in Korea

Despite the rarity in incidence and prevalence, gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) has emerged as a distinct pathogenetic entity. And the clinical management of GIST has been evolving very rapidly due to the recent recognition of its oncogenic signal transduction pathway and the introduction of new molecular-targeted therapy. Successful management of GIST requires a multidisciplinary approach firmly based on accurate histopathologic diagnosis. However, there was no standardized guideline for the management of Korean GIST patients. In 2007, the Korean GIST study group (KGSG) published the first guideline for optimal diagnosis and treatment of GIST in Korea. As the second version of the guideline, we herein have updated recent clinical recommendations and reflected changes in diagnosis, surgical and medical treatments for more optimal clinical practice for GIST in Korea. We hope the guideline can be of help in enhancing the quality of diagnosis by members of the Korean associate of physicians involving in GIST patients's care and subsequently in achieving optimal efficacy of treatment.