GIST tumors have variable likelihood of recurrence after complete excision based on location, size, and mitotic (proliferative) activity. There have been a number of attempts to produce systems to guide pathologists in offering an opinion on a particular case. An oustanding review source is available via USCAP [HERE]; below are various tables. MSKCC has an online risk calculator [HERE]. We pathologists ought to all support and join USCAP for what they make available to us all; and I'm grateful to Dr. Rubin for the tables he put together in on-line ref. #2 below (check that handout out)!

Gold's GIST Nomogram 2009

2002 Criteria

Miettinen & Lasota 2006

Rubin 2010 Advice

References:

1. Rubin BP, "Gastrointestinal stromal tumours: an update", Histopathology 48(1):83-96, 2006.
2. Rubin BP, "Prognostication in GIST...A New Paradigm", USCAP 3/12/2010 [HERE].
3. NIH-Fletcher prognostic criteria, Human Pathology 33:459, 2002.
4. Miettinen & Lasota prognostic criteria, Seminar Diagnostic Path. 23:70, 2006.
5. Gold JS, et. al., "Devel....Prognostic Nomogram...", the Lancet Oncology 10(11):1045-1052, 2009.
6. Patil DT & Rubin BP, Gastrointestinal...", Arch. Path. and Lab. Med.135(10):1298-1310, October 2011. [an over-view of the prognostic histology studies [HERE].
7. NCCN home page [HERE]; has current treatment guidelines on everything for physicians to log in and review (maybe something similar for patients & laypersons who register).

(posted Oct. 2011; latest addition 7 November 2011)