Stomach cancer is a particular insidious form of the disease which is common worldwide, but relatively rare in the United States. When using radiation therapy to treat stomach cancer, there are certain considerations that must be taken into account which foreclose some normal options commonly available during the process.
Stomach Cancer
Stomach cancer, also known as gastic cancer, is cancer which primarily affects the lining of the stomach. Symptoms include localized abdominal pain, halitosis (bad breath), troubles swallowing, excessive gas, and vomiting blood. Age and sex are two primary risk factors for stomach cancer, as it occurs most oftn in men over the age of 40.
Stomach Cancer Treatment
According to Medline Plus, the only treatment that can effectively "cure" stomach cancer is full-on removal of the entire stomach. Other treatment options include chemotherapy (drug therapy to poison cancer cells) and radiation treatment, but these are best used in conjunction with surgery and not as stand alone treatments unless the cancer has spread.
Radiation Treatment
Radiation treatment consists of the application of high levels of radioactivity targeted at the cancerous tissue. The net result of this procedure is that the genetic material of the cancerous cells will be damaged, rendering them unable to continue reproducing. Unfortunately, radiation therapy is not the most precise method, and surrounding healthy tissue will often be damaged in the process.
Types
There are two main types of radiation therapy, but only one is a viable means of combating stomach cancer. The first type, which cannot be practically used in the case of stomach cancer, consists of the surgical implantation of radioactive material within the cancerous tissue. The second type is the external application of radioactive waves (either x-ray or gamma) shot into the abdominal area of the body.
Side Effects
According to the American Cancer Society, radiation therapy is not without side effects. The most commonly reported side effects stemming from radiation therapy to treat stomach cancer include vomiting, nausea, fatigue, diarrhea, and skin irritation. Additionally, if you are also receiving chemotherapy concurrently, radiation therapy might exacerbate the side effects from chemo as well.
Tags: radiation therapy, stomach cancer, side effects, cancerous tissue, radiation therapy treat