OncoGIST Array

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are uncommon tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. These tumors begin in early forms of specialized cells in the wall of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract called interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC).

ICCs are cells of the autonomic nervous system, the part of the nervous system that regulates body processes, such as the digestion of food. ICCs are sometimes called the “pacemakers” of the GI tract because they signal muscles to contract to move food and fluids.

More than half of GIST tumors start in the stomach. Most of the rest start in the small intestine, or anywhere along the GI tract.

5-year survival rates for patients with GIST tumors
(Based on people diagnosed with GIST between 2008 and 2014)
SEER Stage % 5-year survival
Localized 94%
Regional 83%
Distant 52%

These numbers only apply to the stage of cancer when it is first diagnosed. They do not apply later if the cancer grows, spreads, or comes back after treatment.

Survival rates are grouped based on how far the cancer has spread, but also your age, overall health, cancer resection, how well the cancer responds to treatment, and other factors that may also affect your 5-year survival outlook.
People who are now diagnosed with a GIST tumor may have a better outlook than these numbers. Treatments improve over time, and these numbers are based on people who were diagnosed and treated at least five years earlier.

The finding of mutations in the KIT or PDGFRA genes or not is a criterion for the selection of targeted therapy with TKI inhibitors.

The absence of SDHB protein expression (IHC) indicates a mutation in the SDH gene. GIST tumors with a mutation in the SDH gene occur more often in the stomach, in young patients, have metastatic potential, may involve lymph nodes and are characterized by slow growth. GIST tumors with a mutation in the SDH gene are more often resistant to treatment with Imatinib.

The tests are performed on the surgical specimen (paraffin cubes) or the biopsy material (paraffin cube) from which your histological examination was performed or on the aspiration material (FNAB, EBUS) from which your cytological examination was performed. In our fully integrated Laboratory, the pathologist selects the most appropriate & representative paraffin cube, ensuring that the most appropriate sample will be used for the tests. Qualitative and quantitative parameters are checked.

In case your sample is not already at Microdiagnostics archive, please contact us immediately so that we can arrange for its safe and rapid transport to our laboratory. You will also need to quickly and easily complete the Consent Form.

In our fully integrated Laboratory, we handle your sample in such a way as to minimize its unnecessary waste:

• The paraffin cube is placed, if possible, once on the microtome for obtaining tissue sections, by experienced tissue technologists.
• Tissue sections are obtained sequentially in such a way as to ensure diagnosis and perform Immunohistochemistry if required.
• Ensuring preservation of tissue sections for further molecular testing.
• Pathologists perform microdissection to ensure the maximum amount of cancer cells possible, removing all other necrotic cells or normal tissue that could affect the validity of the results.
• The molecular biologist immediately processes the tissue in a fully controlled environment, using next-generation sequencing (NGS) or real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) to identify mutations in the genes of interest.

The tests are performed on the surgical specimen (paraffin cubes) or the biopsy material (paraffin cube) from which your histological examination was performed or on the aspiration material (FNAB, EBUS) from which your cytological examination was performed. In our fully integrated Laboratory, the pathologist selects the most appropriate & representative paraffin cube, ensuring that the most appropriate sample will be used for the tests. Qualitative and quantitative parameters are checked.

In case your sample is not already at Microdiagnostics archive, please contact us immediately so that we can arrange for its safe and rapid transport to our laboratory. You will also need to quickly and easily complete the Consent Form.

Most of the time, the sample material we are called upon to handle is small because it has resulted from a minimally invasive method (needle biopsy, fluid aspiration, paraffin block with minimal material).

In our laboratory, Pathologists check in a timely manner whether the material to be examined is sufficient. If so, then a management algorithm is followed, with the aim of achieving the performance of multiple tests on the material (Immunohistochemistry, real-time PCR, NGS) in order to fully check the molecular profile of your tumor (proteins, genes, histological Grading).

In this case, and once sample enrichment manipulations have been exhausted, we contact your clinician to discuss alternative approaches in order to obtain the desired information to select the optimal treatment for you. Some examples:

• Performing an alternative test (e.g. Immunohistochemistry instead of PCR, or choosing Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)
• Performing Immunohistochemistry instead of FISH (Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization) and tubulin
• Possible blood sampling instead of tissue testing (liquid biopsy)
• Possible option to take a new biopsy or puncture

Contact us at 2310 23 22 72 and we will immediately assist you in quickly transporting the sample to our laboratory.

By cash, bank deposit, using a bank card or by online interbank deposit.

One of the primary concerns at Microdiagnostics is the protection of your personal data as well as the strict observance of the conditions for the protection of your genetic material and medical results.

In full compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), we ensure that any test conducted is done with your knowledge and consent.