Statistics of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor

Executive Summary

A gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is a rare type of tumor accounting for less than 1% of all gastrointestinal tumors. Around 4,000 to 6,000 adults in the United States are diagnosed with GIST every year. Around 60% of GISTs begin in the stomach, 35% develop in the small intestine, and the rest start in the rectum, colon, and esophagus. The 5-year survival rate for people with a GIST is 83%. The 5-year survival rate is 93% if the tumor has not spread from the organ where it started, 80% if cancer has spread to nearby tissues or organs, and 55% if cancer has spread to a distant part of the body when it was first diagnosed.

Statistics of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor

GISTs are rare, forming less than 1% of all gastrointestinal tumors. Approximately 4,000 to 6,000 adults in the United States will be diagnosed with a GIST each year ^​1​. About 60% of GISTs begin in the stomach, and around 35% develop in the small intestine ^​2​. The remaining GISTs usually start in the rectum, colon, and esophagus.

The 5-year survival rate reveals what percent of people live at least five years after the cancer is found. The 5-year survival rate for people with a GIST is 83% ^​3​. However, survival rates for this type of tumor depend on several factors, including specific biologic characteristics of the tumor, the type of treatment, and the risk that it will come back after treatment.

If the tumor has not spread from the organ where it started, the 5-year survival rate is 93%. And if the cancer has spread to nearby tissues or organs, the 5-year survival rate is 80%. If cancer had spread to a distant part of the body when it was first diagnosed, the survival rate is 55%.

It is noteworthy that statistics on the survival rates for people with gastrointestinal stromal tumor estimate and can change significantly depending on several factors.

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