[From following to surpassing: insight into GIST treatment development in China]

Since the concept of GIST was proposed in 1983, the diagnosis and treatment of GIST in China have continuously progress. Over the two decades from 1990 to 2010, the diagnosis and treatment of GIST had achieved a foundation of development through the collective efforts of GIST scholars, from the first pathological review to the first expert consensus. The period from 2010 to 2020 marked rapid development. Besides the updates of expert consensus, other relevant expert consensus was published regarding pathology, surgery, targeted therapy, therapeutic drug monitoring, and patient' management. Based on the above development, China's first GIST guideline, the "CSCO Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines (2020 Edition)", was published. This guideline considers regional development disparities, accessibility of treatments and diagnostic methods, and the social value of cancer care, maintaining its scientific rigor, fairness, and timeliness. Over the past 30 years, the diagnosis and treatment of GIST in China significantly development. However, we should recognize that further development must require more original Chinese research, which would better benefit the Chinese population.