This book provides a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). GISTs represent the most common mesenchymal neoplasms arising within the gastrointestinal tract. The causative gene of this disease was originally discovered in Japan by Prof. Seichi Hirota in 1998, and since then numerous important advances - from basic to clinical aspects - have been reported from Japan. Professionals involved in the management of GISTs inevitably cite significant evidence and the state-of-the-art treatments from the Asian region, where has there is and inherently high prevalence of gastrointestinal cancers. Each expert author elucidates the cutting-edge knowledge on pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of GISTs, especially focusing on the highly valuable data from Japan. This attractive collection benefits not only oncologists but also basic researchers, general physicians and surgeons, as well as paramedical staff and medical students who are dealing with GISTs.

Dr. Yukinori Kurokawa, Assistant Professor, Department of Gastoenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University Dr. Yoshito Komatsu,Associate Professor,Department of Cancer Chemotherapy, Hokkaido University Hospital Cancer Center