Chemotherapy Sessions After Gastric Cancer Surgery

After gastric cancer surgery, chemotherapy is often used as an adjuvant treatment to reduce the risk of recurrence. The number of chemotherapy sessions required varies depending on the treatment protocol prescribed by the oncologist. Below are some commonly used regimens and their corresponding schedules:

Single-agent S-1 Chemotherapy
In this oral chemotherapy approach, patients typically take the medication for two weeks, followed by a one-week break—making one cycle last three weeks. If continuous administration is recommended, the treatment may last for about one year, consisting of approximately 16 cycles or sessions.

FOLFOX6 Modified Regimen
This intravenous chemotherapy protocol is usually administered every two weeks. Patients following this regimen generally undergo treatment for around six months, requiring approximately 12 sessions in total.

XELOX or SOX Protocols
These combination therapies include both intravenous and oral chemotherapy components. Administered every three weeks, the treatment duration also spans about six months, involving roughly 8 cycles or sessions.

It's important to note that the exact number of chemotherapy sessions can vary based on individual patient conditions, tumor stage, and how well the patient tolerates the treatment. Always follow the guidance of your oncology team for the most appropriate care plan.