The effect of postoperative chemoradiotherapy on survival in locally advanced gastric cancer

Study aim: Retrospective evaluation of efficacy and safety of postoperativeconcurrent chemoradiotherapy in operable and locally advanced gastric cancer.Materials and method: 101 patients with histological diagnosis of gastric cancerwere included in the study. Of the patients, 72% were male with a median age of58 (range 33-85). Radiochemotherapy was applied according to intergroup -0116study. Radiotherapy was administered to the gastric region including lymphaticsat a dose of 45 Gy with greater than 50 Gy to the patients with positive surgicalmargin.Findings: Median overall survival was 24 months (range 5-116 months). Fiveyearoverall survival was 55%. Locoregional recurrences were observed in 11.9%of the patients, whereas 22.8% of the patients experienced distant metastases.Gastrointestinal side effects were seen in 69% and hematologic side effects wereseen in 18% of the patients.Conclusion: We have observed that chemoradiotherapy is effective on localcontrol however, treatment was insufficent fort he control of distant metastases. Inour patients chemotherapy toxicity was observed as expected, but the patientswere able to tolerate the toxicity.Key words: Gastric cancer, chemoradiotherapy, side effects