[A report of two cases in which radiation therapy was effective for distant lymph node metastases after curative resection of gastric cancer].

Long-term survival is difficult after manifestation of distant lymph node metastasis following curative resection for advanced gastric cancer. Two patients who achieved long survival with linac therapy after curative treatment of gastric cancer, are reported. Case 1: 45 years old, male. Distal gastrectomy with D2 dissection was carried out for such gastric cancer as L.M, less.Post.Ant, fType 3, T2 (MP), fStage II, on July 13, 1994. As paraaortic lymph nodes metastases was observed with CT examination on October 12, 1995, irradiation therapy using linac was conducted, and CR was achieved. Though Virchow's lymph nodes metastases was followed that episode, PR was achieved with 4,750 cGy of linac therapy. Finally, however, the patient died with metastases to lung and bone on May 19, 2002. Case 2: 62 years old, male. Distal gastrectomy with D2 + No.8p and also No.16b1 interaorticocaval dissection was conducted for such advanced gastric cancers as M, less, fType 3, T3 (SE), fStage III B on June 7, 1995. Paraaortic lymph nodes metastases were observed through CT examination on October 12, 1995. Irradiation therapy using linac resulted in CR. Virchows lymph node metastasis, which appeared on December 12, 1997, was also treated with 5,000 cGy of linac, and CR was also achieved. The patient is surviving today without recurrence.

[A case of cardiac cancer for which radiation therapy was effective in improving stenosis of the esophagogastric junction].

The patient was a seventy-seven-year old woman, who was diagnosed with advanced gastric cancer with stenosis of the esophagocardiac junction. Her cancer was diagnosed as Stage IV (T3N3H0P3M0). As there was no indication for surgery, radiation therapy (Linac electron beam, 1.8 Gy/day, total 50.4 Gy) was selected to improve the stenosis, after which she was able to eat food. Subjective complaints such as nausea and vomiting were also decreased, promoting her QOL. We conclude that radiation therapy treatment can be a treatment option for far advanced cardiac cancer.