The FDA has approved Ayvakit (avapritinib; Blueprint Medicines Corporation), a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, for the treatment of adults with unresectable or metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) harboring a platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) exon 18 mutation, including PDGFRA D842V mutations.
Unexpectedly identifying a patient as a CDH1 carrier can lead to a “difficult conundrum” for clinicians and patients, highlighting the need for pretest counseling.
Early-onset gastric cancer linked to higher grade, signet-ring cells, diffuse histology, metastatic disease.
Although higher nurse-to-patient ratios ensure good outcomes for patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy, PD-specific surgeon volume has a greater effect on risks of complications for these patients.
Patterns of genetic alterations could guide management.
