gastrointestinal tract

(Weber Shandwick Worldwide) New research published in the July issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons reveals that African-Americans with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), a rare cancer that begins in the wall of the gastrointestinal tract, now have survival rates equivalent to those of Caucasians.

Prior to 2000, African-Americans were more likely to develop GIST and less likely to undergo surgical treatment for this type of cancer.