title: Combined treatments in gastric cancer: radiotherapy.
abstract: In the past decades radiation oncologists have not had a major interest in the treatment of gastric cancer. The concern on major toxicity related to an extended irradiation of the upper abdomen limited the experience in the treatment of this disease; therefore few data were available to evaluate any advantage of the use of radiation therapy. The results of the Gastrointestinal Intergroup Study promoted a new interest in the irradiation of gastric cancer. The analysis of the outcomes of the Intergroup Study supported the role of locoregional control in promoting better survival for patients treated with adjuvant chemoradiation vs resected patients (81% vs 71%). The studies reported in the last years on the use of radiotherapy in gastric carcinoma are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Cattedra Radioterapia, Istituto di Radiologia, Policlinico Università A Gemelli Università Cattolica S Cuore, Largo F Vito 1, 00168 Roma, Italy. vvalentini@rm.unicatt.it
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Valentini
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cellini
authors.forename: Rolando M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: D'Angelillo
mesh_terms: D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D005743:Gastrectomy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents