Treatment guidelines for gastrointestinal stromal tumors in children and young adults.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) occurring in the pediatric population has a unique biology and natural history when compared to GIST occurring in adults. As a result of these unique features, management of GIST in children may need to differ from management of GIST in adults. GIST is a very rare disease in children. Consequently prospective clinical trials have not been performed. A review of the biology, clinical presentation and natural history of GIST in children is presented. Guidelines for diagnostic evaluation and management of GIST in children are presented. The presented guidelines are based on clinical experience and data from case reports and case series.