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    Tumors Care Treatment in New Jersey

    Located in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, the Digestive Health & Nutrition Center, led by gastroenterologist Angela Merlo, M.D., provides treatment for gastrointestinal stromal tumors for patients in and around Trenton and Princeton.

    What are Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors?

    Gastrointestinal stromal tumors are caused by the development of abnormal cells in the tissues of the GI tract, which is part of the digestive system. The GI tract helps your body digest food, and takes nutrients from food, such as carbohydrates, fats, minerals, proteins, water, and vitamins so that the body can use them. The GI tract consists of three organs:

    • Stomach
    • Small intestine
    • Colon or large intestine

    Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) can be benign, which means noncancerous, or malignant, which means cancerous. GISTs most commonly develop in the stomach and small intestine, but they can be found anywhere in or throughout the GI tract. Some researchers believe that they start in the interstitial cells of Cajal, which are located in the GI tract wall.

    You may understand GISTs better if you know more about the structure of the digestive system and how it works.

    The Gastrointestinal System

    The digestive system processes food so that the body has energy; it also gets rid of solid waste. After you chew and swallow food, it goes down the esophagus, which is the tube that carries food from the neck, through the chest and to the stomach. The esophagus and stomach join beneath the diaphragm, a thin band of muscle located below the lungs.

    A sac-like organ, the stomach holds food, and aids in the digestion process by producing gastric juice. When the food and gastric juices mix, food turns into a thick fluid that empties into the small intestine. This is where the food is broken down further, and most of the nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream. At more than 20 feet long, the small intestine is the longest part of the GI tract.

    At about 5 feet long, the colon or large intestine is a muscular tube that is joined to the small intestine. This part of the GI tract absorbs the mineral nutrients and water that is left over in the food. Whatever remains after this process is waste and goes into the rectum as feces or stool, where the body stores it until is passes through the anus and out of the body.

    Signs and Symptoms of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors

    The main sign that a patient has a GIST is the presence of very bright or very dark red blood in their stools or vomit. However, other signs and symptoms may occur with GISTs or other conditions:

    • Abdominal pain, which could be severe
    • Extreme fatigue
    • Pain or trouble when swallowing
    • The feeling of fullness after eating only a little food

    If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important that you contact Dr. Merlo.

    How Are Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors Diagnosed?

    GISTs are usually found when people are experiencing signs or symptoms of the disease. Other GISTs are discovered during tests or exams for other GI tract problems or other health conditions. If we suspect cancer, you may have to undergo further testing so that the diagnosis can be confirmed. There are several tests that are used to diagnose GISTs, but some of them are used more often than others:

    Trenton or Princeton, New Jersey residents who are looking for a specialist in adult and pediatric gastroenterology to treat tumors of the gastrointestinal system should contact the Digestive Health & Nutrition Center in Lawrenceville today to set up an appointment

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