GI Oncology

Small Intestine Cancer / GIST

Expert surgical treatment of rare small bowel tumours and gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) with minimally invasive techniques.

Understanding Small Intestine Cancer and GIST

Small intestine cancers include adenocarcinoma, neuroendocrine tumours, lymphoma and GIST (gastrointestinal stromal tumour). GIST is the commonest mesenchymal tumour of the GI tract and responds well to targeted therapy (imatinib) combined with surgery.

Small bowel cancers are rare — only 3% of GI cancers
GIST can arise anywhere in the GI tract but is commonest in stomach
Imatinib has revolutionised GIST treatment
Surgery aims for complete resection with clear margins

LapMIS Approach

R0Clear Margins

ImatinibTargeted Therapy

Multi-DSpecialist Care

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the symptoms of small bowel cancer?

Vague abdominal pain, obstruction, GI bleeding, iron-deficiency anaemia and weight loss. Diagnosis is often delayed because of non-specific symptoms.

What is a GIST?

GIST is a gastrointestinal stromal tumour — a mesenchymal tumour arising from the interstitial cells of Cajal. It most commonly occurs in the stomach (60%) and small intestine (30%).

How is GIST diagnosed?

Endoscopy, EUS-guided biopsy and CT scan. Immunohistochemistry for CD117 (KIT) and DOG-1 confirms the diagnosis. Mutational analysis guides treatment.

Is GIST cancer?

Yes, GIST has malignant potential. Risk of recurrence depends on size, mitotic rate and location. Small (<2 cm) gastric GISTs have very low risk.

What is the treatment for GIST?

Surgical resection with clear margins is the mainstay. Lymph node dissection is usually not needed. Imatinib is used before surgery (neoadjuvant) for large tumours and after surgery (adjuvant) for high-risk disease.

What is imatinib?

Imatinib (Gleevec) is a targeted oral drug that blocks KIT and PDGFRA receptors. It has transformed GIST from an incurable disease to a manageable one.

Can GIST be removed laparoscopically?

Yes, most gastric and small bowel GISTs can be removed laparoscopically with excellent outcomes provided the tumour capsule is not violated.

How long do I need to take imatinib after surgery?

High-risk GIST patients typically take imatinib for 3 years after surgery. Some may benefit from longer duration based on risk profile.

What are the survival rates for GIST?

With modern treatment (surgery + imatinib) 5-year survival exceeds 80% for localised disease. Even metastatic GIST has a median survival of 5+ years with targeted therapy.

How are small bowel adenocarcinomas treated?

Surgical resection with lymphadenectomy, often followed by chemotherapy similar to colon cancer protocols. Prognosis depends on stage at presentation.

Dr. Abhishek Aggarwal — Senior Consultant GI & HPB Oncosurgeon, BLK-Max Delhi

Meet Dr. Abhishek Aggarwal

12+ Years Experience500+ Cancer SurgeriesBLK-Max Delhi

Dr. Abhishek Aggarwal is a highly skilled GI & HPB surgeon with over 10 years of experience in managing complex gastrointestinal and hepato-pancreato-biliary diseases, with a special focus on oncological surgery. He currently serves as Associate Director – GI Oncosurgery at BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital, where he is actively involved in delivering advanced surgical care for GI and HPB malignancies.

He has trained and worked in reputed high-volume centres, gaining extensive expertise in complex oncological procedures and multidisciplinary cancer care. His clinical practice is firmly grounded in scientific, evidence-based medicine, ensuring that patients receive treatment aligned with the latest global standards and research.

OPD Timing: 09:00 AM – 05:00 PM

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