TY - JOUR
T1 - The Prediagnostic General Practitioners’ Pathway of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor Patients
T2 - A Real-World Data Study
AU - Holthuis, Emily I.
AU - Slijkhuis, Verena
AU - van der Graaf, Winette T.A.
AU - Drabbe, Cas
AU - van Houdt, Winan J.
AU - Schrage, Yvonne M.
AU - Olde Hartman, Tim C.
AU - Uijen, Annemarie
AU - Steeghs, Neeltje
AU - Bos, Isabelle
AU - Heins, Marianne
AU - Husson, Olga
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 by the authors.
PY - 2025/4/22
Y1 - 2025/4/22
N2 - Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare digestive tract cancers that are often challenging to diagnose early due to nonspecific symptoms. General practitioners (GPs) are typically the first to evaluate these symptoms, making them crucial for early detection. However, limited research has examined how GIST patients seek medical care before diagnosis. This study investigates GP visits, reported diagnoses, and prescribed medications in the year preceding a GIST diagnosis. Our findings indicate that GIST patients attend more frequent GP visits, with a significant increase in the months leading up to diagnosis, often due to digestive issues and anemia. Future research should analyze GP records in greater detail to refine strategies for earlier recognition and intervention, eventually leading to faster diagnosis and better patient outcomes.
AB - Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare digestive tract cancers that are often challenging to diagnose early due to nonspecific symptoms. General practitioners (GPs) are typically the first to evaluate these symptoms, making them crucial for early detection. However, limited research has examined how GIST patients seek medical care before diagnosis. This study investigates GP visits, reported diagnoses, and prescribed medications in the year preceding a GIST diagnosis. Our findings indicate that GIST patients attend more frequent GP visits, with a significant increase in the months leading up to diagnosis, often due to digestive issues and anemia. Future research should analyze GP records in greater detail to refine strategies for earlier recognition and intervention, eventually leading to faster diagnosis and better patient outcomes.
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105005072631
U2 - 10.3390/cancers17091391
DO - 10.3390/cancers17091391
M3 - Article
C2 - 40361318
AN - SCOPUS:105005072631
SN - 2072-6694
VL - 17
JO - Cancers
JF - Cancers
IS - 9
M1 - 1391
ER -
