Evaluation of Hemostatic Radiotherapy for Gastric Cancer

Abstract

Advanced gastric cancer with bleeding may be resected to achieve hemostasis. However, sometimes a case is not suitable for resection because of severe local invasion or a poor condition of the patient. Between April 2013 and March 2018, 21 cases of advanced gastric cancer with anemia (hemoglobin level <10 mg/dl) were treated by radiotherapy for hemostasis at our hospital. All cases were not indicated for surgery for various reasons. The median age of the patients was 83 years old. A total of 30 or 33 Gy in 10 or 11 fractions was administered. After radiotherapy, 3 patients were able to receive chemotherapy and 13 patients were discharged to home. The median survival time was 108.5 days. One patient suffered cerebral infarction and became bedridden just after advanced gastric cancer with anemia was treated by hemostatic radiotherapy in parallel with rehabilitation. After improvement of activities of daily living, a curative operation was performed. Hemostatic radiotherapy may be a treatment option for advanced gastric cancer with bleeding that is not suitable for resection at the time of diagnosis.