**8. Management**

Complete surgical resection is the recommendation of choice for localized GIST with a target of R0 resection with complete surgical removal of the tumor without disturbing the capsule [4]. Though surgery is considered the only curative option for GISTs, a multidisciplinary approach is needed for best medical and surgical management. Segmental resection of the stomach as wedge resection is accepted, and extensive resection is usually not needed. Lymphadenectomy is also not required as GISTs rarely metastasize to lymph nodes [4]. The discovery of KIT(CD117) (receptor tyrosine kinase) in GISTs has revolutionized GISTs management. Imatinib mesylate is a selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor that selectively inhibits KIT and had a significant impact on the prognosis of GISTs as will be discussed subsequently.
