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Updated: Jun 11, 2026
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Treatment of Liver Metastases Using an Internal Target Volume Method for Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy
Published on: May 8, 2018
[Normal tissue tolerance to external beam radiation therapy: the stomach]
1Service de Radiothérapie, Hôpital de Bellevue, CHU de Saint-Etienne, 42055 Saint-Etienne cedex 2, France.
Summary
Radiation therapy for gastric cancer can cause acute side effects like nausea and vomiting. Stomach tolerance to radiation is often underestimated, with doses over 35 Gy increasing ulcer risks.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Radiation Oncology
- Gastroenterology
Context:
- Gastric radiation therapy is a critical component in managing stomach cancers.
- Understanding organ tolerance is crucial for optimizing treatment and minimizing patient morbidity.
- Existing literature on gastric radiation toxicity requires synthesis and clear delineation of dose-response relationships.
Purpose:
- To review and synthesize current knowledge on acute and late radiation toxicities of the stomach.
- To highlight the underappreciated tolerance limits of the stomach to radiation therapy.
- To provide guidance on acceptable radiation doses for gastric treatments based on toxicity data.
Summary:
- The article discusses acute and late toxicities associated with gastric radiation therapy, noting nausea and vomiting as primary acute symptoms.
- Current prescribed doses for gastric radiation therapy are 60 Gy or less.
- While whole stomach tolerance is generally considered up to 40-45 Gy, doses as low as 35 Gy elevate the risk of gastric ulcer complications.
Impact:
- Informing oncologists and radiation therapists about the specific tolerance of the stomach to radiation.
- Aiding in the development of safer and more effective gastric radiation protocols.
- Potentially reducing the incidence of severe gastrointestinal complications in patients undergoing radiation therapy for gastric conditions.
