IS RADIATION THERAPY STILL USED IN THE TREATMENT OF GASTRIC CANCER?

Abstract

Gastric cancer is one of the most prominent global health challenges. Despite recent declines in incidence and mortality, this cancer remains the fifth most commonly diagnosed cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The treatment of gastric cancer requires a multidisciplinary approach, the choice of which depends on the stage of the disease and the patient’s overall condition. The mainstay of treatment is surgical resection with D2 lymphadenectomy and adjuvant or neoadjuvant radio- and chemotherapy. Currently, radiation therapy is widely used in several critical areas of gastric cancer treatment. Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the current use and effectiveness of radiotherapy in the treatment of gastric cancer, as well as the prospects for the further development of this therapeutic method. Material and methods: This study is based on a systematic review of several dozen scientific publications identified through PubMed and Google Schoolar databases using keywords “gastric cancer”, “radiotherapy”, “chemoradiotherapy”. Conclusions: In clinical practice, radiotherapy is primarily used as an adjuvant treatment. In perioperative therapy, it is combined with chemotherapy before surgery to reduce tumor size and after surgery to reduce the risk of recurrence and the development of micrometastases. Additionally, it is used as a palliative treatment for patients with advanced-stage disease who are not eligible for surgery. Emerging evidence also suggests potential benefits of incorporating radiotherapy into the management of patients with limited metastatic disease.