Which characteristic best describes a low-risk GIST?

A low-risk Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST) is typically characterized by being small in size, specifically less than 5 cm, and classified as low grade based on histological features. These factors significantly influence the tumor's behavior and the likelihood of metastasis or aggressive growth.

When the tumor is less than 5 cm, it generally has a reduced chance of spreading and is associated with a more favorable prognosis. Additionally, a low-grade designation indicates a lower mitotic rate, which correlates with a slower growth potential and a decreased risk of aggressive disease. This combination of size and grade is crucial in determining management strategies and predicting patient outcomes.

While larger tumors or those classified with a higher grade often require more aggressive treatment and monitoring due to their increased risk of malignancy, the parameters of size and grade provide reliable indicators for assessing the risk level of GISTs. Therefore, the characteristics of size being less than 5 cm and being low grade combine to establish the tumor as low-risk.