GIST

Hi Maisie2022,

Thanks for getting in touch. My name is Jo and I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurses on the Macmillan Support Line.

I can appreciate that you would like to know about long term outcomes following your Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumour (GIST) diagnosis. This sounds like a difficult time for you.

From the information you have given, it would be very difficult to advise about your individual long term outcomes. This will depend on a number of factors, including the stage and grade of your cancer, your age and general health and how the cancer responds to treatment. 

I wonder whether you have spoken to your hospital team about this. If not, then it would be advisable to do so. They are best placed to offer specific advice and support about your long term outcomes, as they are familiar with your diagnosis and have access to your medical records.

Eating well and keeping active and considering your lifestyle and wellbeing, both before and after treatment, can also help your long term outcomes in terms of both physical and mental health and wellbeing.

It is normal to experience lots of different emotions when you have cancer, there is no right or wrong way to feel. It’s important that you don’t feel alone in dealing with these. There are a number of ways that we here at Macmillan can offer help and support, so please do get back in touch.

I see that you have joined the ‘new to the community’ forum on our online community, and hope you are finding support through this. There is also help and support available  through our soft tissue sarcoma forum,  and the charities Sarcoma UK  and GIST Cancer UK.

I hope this information is helpful. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to get back in touch. You can speak with the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or email us. 

Best wishes,

Jo

Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

Ref/SS