Treatment Types

Radiation therapy is often used in conjunction with surgery and chemotherapy to treat esophageal, stomach and pancreatic cancers.

• Often, the primary treatment for stomach cancer, also called gastric cancer, is surgery. The need for surgery varies based on the extent and the stage of the disease at the time of diagnosis. Radiation and chemotherapy are often used after surgery for gastric cancer, depending on the location and stage of your cancer.
• Esophageal cancer can be treated either by surgery or by combining radiation with chemotherapy. Sometimes, radiation and/or chemotherapy is given before surgery for esophageal cancer.
• Depending on the cancer type and stage and other factors, treatment options for pancreatic cancer can include chemotherapy, surgery and/or radiation therapy. Radiation may be given after surgery to prevent the cancer from coming back; along with chemotherapy to help shrink the tumor for surgery; or sometimes for pain control.
• Radiation may also be used, with or without chemotherapy, to relieve pain in more advanced disease.