Advantages of Oral Chemotherapy
Oral chemotherapy offers several benefits compared to intravenous chemotherapy. One significant difference is that patients can undergo oral chemotherapy at home, whereas intravenous chemotherapy requires a hospital visit. Patients have the option to take oral chemotherapy medication in tablet form or use a portable pump. The primary advantage of oral chemotherapy is that it reduces the frequency of hospital visits, which is particularly important for patients in a weakened state. Typically, treatments are administered in cycles, with each cycle lasting around a month.
Radiotherapy: A Treatment Option for Stomach Cancer
When it comes to treating stomach cancer, doctors may consider using a technique called radiotherapy. As the name suggests, this treatment involves the use of radiation to target and eliminate cancerous cells. However, it is important to note that radiotherapy carries certain risks, as the radiation beams have the potential to damage healthy organs along with the diseased cells. Despite these risks, in advanced stages of the disease, radiotherapy may be the only viable option. In some cases, radiotherapy may also be used as a follow-up treatment several months after the patient has undergone chemotherapy. It is important to be aware that radiotherapy, similar to chemotherapy, may result in unpleasant side effects.