Radiation Therapy for Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors

Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy x-rays (or particles) to kill cancer cells. Radiation is not very helpful in treating gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), so it is not used often. But sometimes it can be used to relieve symptoms like bone pain.

Before your treatment starts, the radiation team will take careful measurements to find the correct angles for aiming the radiation beams and the proper dose of radiation. This planning session, called simulation, usually includes getting imaging tests such as CT or MRI scans.

Radiation therapy is much like getting an x-ray, but the radiation is much stronger. The treatment itself is painless. It lasts only a few minutes, although the setup time – getting you into place for treatment – usually takes longer. You might get radiation treatment for several days in a row.

Possible side effects of radiation

Depending on where the radiation is aimed, side effects may include:

• Skin changes in areas getting radiation, ranging from redness to blistering and peeling
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Low blood counts

Most side effects go away a short while after treatment ends, although fatigue and skin changes may last longer. Talk with your doctor about the possible side effects and the ways to reduce or relieve them.