Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor - GIST

Talking often with the doctor is important to make informed decisions about your health care. These suggested questions are a starting point to help you learn more about your cancer care and treatment. You are also encouraged to ask additional questions that are important to you.

General questions:

• Where is the tumor located?
• Can you explain my pathology report (laboratory test results) to me?
• How aggressive is the tumor?
• Should I be seeing a GIST specialist?
• What are my treatment options?
• What clinical trials are open to me?
• What is the goal of each treatment option?
• What treatment plan do you recommend? Why?
• Do I need treatment right away?
• Who will be part of my health care team, and what does each member do?
• Who will be coordinating my overall treatment and follow-up care?
• What are the possible side effects of this treatment, both in the short term and the long term?
• How will this treatment affect my daily life? Will I be able to work, exercise, and perform my usual activities?
• Could this treatment affect my sex life? If so, how and for how long?
• Could this treatment affect my ability to become pregnant or have children? If so, should I talk with a fertility specialist before treatment begins?
• If I’m worried about managing the costs related to my medical care, who can help me with these concerns?
• Whom do I call for questions or problems?

Questions to ask before surgery:

• Can you describe this surgery to me?
• What are the possible side effects of this surgery? How will they be treated?
• Will I need to stay in the hospital for this surgery? For how long?
• Why are you recommending this specific type of surgery for me?
• What is the goal of surgery?

Questions about imatinib mesylate (Gleevec):

• If I have surgery, should I take Gleevec before surgery? What dosage? For how long?
• If I have surgery, should I take Gleevec after surgery? What dosage? For how long?
• What factors determine how effective Gleevec is likely to be?
• What are the possible side effects? How will they be treated?
• What can be done if Gleevec stops working? Can I receive Sutent in that case?

Questions to ask before radiation therapy:

• What kind of radiation therapy is recommended?
• What is the goal of radiation therapy?
• What does the preparation for this treatment involve?
• What possible side effects can I expect from this treatment? How will they be treated?

After treatment, including surgery:

• What are the chances that the tumor will return?
• What follow-up tests do I need, and how often do I need them?
• What support services are available to me? To my family?