# Can I get GIST (gastrointestinal stromal tumor) treatment in Turkey?

Source: https://oncologyistanbul.com/answers/can-i-get-gist-treatment-in-turkey
Last updated: 2026-07-21

Yes. According to the National Cancer Institute, GIST is usually driven by mutations in the KIT or PDGFRA gene, so mutation testing comes first because it predicts which drug will work. Istanbul centers offer surgery — the primary treatment for localized, resectable GIST — and targeted therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Imatinib is used first-line, and as adjuvant therapy after surgery for higher-risk tumors, with sunitinib and regorafenib available in later lines. Bring your pathology and any molecular testing to a free case review, and you can verify a hospital's authorization yourself.

## Verify at
- [NCI — Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors Treatment](https://www.cancer.gov/types/soft-tissue-sarcoma/patient/gist-treatment-pdq) — National Cancer Institute (NCI) (checked 2026-07-21)

Related: [GIST treatment in Turkey](https://oncologyistanbul.com/gist-treatment-turkey)