Stomach Cancer Radiation Therapy & Treatment
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Video: Radiation Treatment for Cancer of the Stomach
Radiation Treatment for Cancer of the StomachRadiation Treatment for Cancer of the Stomach
Radiation oncologists at Cancer Treatment Centers of America utilize advanced radiation therapy tools to target and treat cancer in the stomach.
Radiation Therapy for Stomach Cancer
Depending on the type of stomach cancer you have and the extent of the disease, your stomach cancer treatment plan at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) may include radiation treatment. Types of stomach cancer treated with radiation therapy include:
- Adenocarcinoma of the stomach
- Lymphoma of the stomach (e.g., a MALT tumor or GIST tumor)
Radiation treatment may help:
- Destroy cancer cells that remain after stomach cancer surgery
- Shrink tumors
- Alleviate pain
- Stop bleeding
- Decrease the risk of cancer recurrence in the same area of the body
Many patients undergo radiation therapy for stomach cancer after having surgery, the primary treatment for this disease. Radiation therapy can be used alone or in combination with chemotherapy (i.e., chemoradiation).
Your doctors at CTCA will work with each other, and with you, to determine if radiation treatment is an appropriate option for you. If it is recommended that you receive both radiation therapy and chemotherapy after surgery for stomach cancer, you may:
- Receive radiation treatment during the course of your chemotherapy treatment
- Receive radiation treatment at least five days a week for approximately five weeks
- On some days, receive both radiation and chemotherapy treatments
Advanced Stomach Cancer Radiation Therapy Delivered by an Experienced Team
At CTCA, radiation oncologists work side by side with medical physicists, dosimetrists and radiation therapists who help plan, coordinate and deliver radiation treatment with the utmost precision.
Using some of the most sophisticated radiation therapy delivery systems available, we target the site of the stomach tumor and aim to protect surrounding healthy tissue. We utilize advanced forms of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) (e.g., TomoTherapy® and Trilogy™ with RapidArc™). These systems help pinpoint each radiation treatment so precisely that we avoid harm to the kidneys, pancreas and spinal cord.
For disease that has spread to the liver, TheraSphere®, an internal form of radiation therapy, may be an option. This innovative treatment targets tumors in the liver with minuscule beads called microspheres.
How to Deal with Side Effects of Stomach Cancer Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy for stomach cancer can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue and loss of appetite. At CTCA, your care team includes clinicians who offer holistic/supportive therapies to help you cope with such side effects. These therapies are integrated with the treatments you receive. Your naturopathic oncology provider at CTCA, for example, can recommend natural therapies to counteract nausea, such as homeopathic and herbal supplements. And, your CTCA dietitian will help you receive the nourishment you need to maintain your strength so that you receive your full treatment regimen.
Next Topic: IMRT for Stomach Cancer
