The role of radiation therapy in the palliation of gastrointestinal malignancies.

Radiation therapy can provide significant palliation in many patients who have unresectable, metastatic, or incurable malignancies of the gastrointestinal tract and is a modality that can be used in many clinical situations. In considering radiation therapy, the radiation oncologist should be mindful of the actual expectation of palliation, the potential degree of relief of symptoms, and the time involved for the patient and those involved in his or her care and transport. When a course of radiation is planned, the dose per fraction, total number of fractions, and total dose delivered should all be taken into account. The use of concurrent systemic chemotherapy needs to be reviewed with respect to chances for augmentation of palliation as well as morbidity. Although long-term disease control is often not achieved, there are reasonable expectations for control of symptoms of bleeding and pain. The side effects associated with radiation are generally well tolerated and, if they occur, usually can be controlled with conservative measures. Significant late effects, although uncommon, are generally a function of the volume of the organ treated, the total dose used, and whether systemic therapy is used in conjunction with radiation. When considering the options for palliation in these situations, multidisciplinary collaboration among all those involved in a patient's care, surgeon, radiation oncologist, medical oncologist, primary care provider, and palliative care specialist, is ideal to address each situation in each patient, for whom there may be a variety of options for palliative treatment. Generally, combinations of interventions are needed to optimize the palliation of a patient's various problems. The goal of providing relief to the patient in the least amount of time with the least amount of morbidity and the greatest expectation for durability of response is paramount.