Stomach cancer treatment with radiotherapy

Radiotherapy is a method that uses ionization radiation exposure to affect cancer cells and stop their further development and tumor growth. Very often, radiotherapy could become a so-called adjuvant therapy. This therapy accompanies the primary treatment method to achieve better results and helps prevent possible disease relapses. However, radiotherapy may also become a primary treatment method in some cases. At first, the patient undergoes a CT scan, and the future treatment plan is developed during 3D radiation planning, primarily based on data obtained during CT. After that, the patient is placed under the apparatuses, and the treatment procedure begins. The duration of a single session depends on the planned radiation dose and the tumor's size. Usually, a single course of radiation therapy might take 20 to 30 procedures, which might spread over a few weeks. The average duration of treatment is mainly related to the patient's condition, and radiation therapy might be stopped if they suddenly feel a significant worsening. Often, a patient with stomach cancer might require a few courses of radiation therapy to achieve sustainable results.