Radiotherapy for stomach cancer

Radiotherapy for stomach cancer may be given:

• to help symptoms, such as bleeding from the stomach – this is called palliative radiotherapy
• as extra treatment to prevent cancer from coming back.

Radiotherapy is always carefully planned by a team of experts. They will plan your treatment so it does as little harm as possible to normal cells.

We have more information about radiotherapy.

Radiotherapy can cause side effects in the area of your body that is being treated. You may also have some general side effects, such as feeling tired. Sometimes side effects get worse for a time during and after you have finished radiotherapy before they get better.

Your cancer doctor, specialist nurse or radiographer will tell you what to expect. They will give you advice on what you can do to manage side effects. If you have any new side effects or if side effects get worse, tell them straight away.

Radiotherapy often makes people feel tired. Tiredness (fatigue) may get worse as treatment goes on. If you are having radiotherapy alongside other treatments, such as surgery or chemotherapy, you may feel more tired. But there are things you can do to help, such as:

• get plenty of rest
• do some gentle exercise, such as short walks
• eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of fluids
• ask others for help with everyday jobs, if you have friends or family members who can support you.

After treatment finishes, you may continue to feel tired for weeks or months. If it does not get better, tell your cancer doctor or specialist nurse.

We have more information about coping with tiredness (fatigue).

The skin in the area that is treated may:

• redden
• darken
• feel sore or itchy.

Your radiographer or specialist nurse will give you advice on taking care of your skin. If your skin becomes sore or itchy or changes colour, tell them straight away. They can give you advice and treatments if needed. 

Skin reactions should get better within 4 to 6 weeks of treatment finishing.

During your treatment, you are usually advised to:

• wear loose-fitting clothes made from natural fibres, such as cotton
• wash your skin gently with soap and water and gently pat it dry
• avoid rubbing the skin
• avoid very hot things – for example, heat pads
• avoid cooling pads but these may be helpful in some situations so speak to your team about using these first
• avoid wet shaving
• avoid hair-removing creams or products, including wax and laser treatment
• follow your radiotherapy team’s advice about using moisturisers and deodorants
• protect the treated area from the sun.

During radiotherapy, you may not feel like eating very much. But it is important to try to maintain your weight. Your dietitian can give you advice on ways to build up your diet and maintain or gain weight.

Radiotherapy and chemotherapy can cause you to feel sick (nausea) and be sick (vomit). This can usually be treated with anti-sickness drugs (anti-emetics). Your cancer doctor can give you these.

Radiotherapy to the stomach can cause indigestion. If you have this, let your radiographer or specialist nurse know. They may be able to give you medicines to help.

This should get better after treatment. Your cancer doctor can give you painkillers to help.