THE ROLE OF PALLIATIVE RADIATION THERAPY FOR PATIENTS WITH ADVANCED GASTRIC CANCER

Saadoune Mohamed*, Sanae Chaouia, Honorine Imfurankunda Habimana, Sacino Florence, Darfaoui Mouna, Elomrani Abdelhamid and Khouchani Mouna

ABSTRACT

Palliative treatment for advanced gastric cancer bleeding and obstruction includes surgical treatment and endoscopic treatment. There are few reports on radiotherapy. Between April 2014 and March 2020, radiation therapy was performed for symptomatic relief in patients with unresectable advanced gastric cancer at our hospital. We investigated 11 patients who underwent the treatment. The purpose of treatment was to stop bleeding in 8 cases and to relieve stenosis in 4 cases. Hemostasis response rate was 63%, stenosis release response rate was 50%. The median duration of hemostatic response and median duration of stenotic response were 103 days and 52 days, respectively. median overall survival At 567 days, median survival after initiation of irradiation was 105 days. Radiotherapy for symptom relief is more effective than surgical or endoscopic treatment. Since it takes time to produce results, a certain degree of efficacy can be expected if the patient is selected.

Keywords: Bleeding, Gastrointestinal stricture, Gastric cancer, Palliative radiotherapy.