How is chemotherapy used in oncology?

Chemotherapy is used in oncology to kill cancerous cells. Cancerous cells reproduce at an accelerated rate. Chemotherapy makes it difficult for cancerous cells to reproduce at this faster rate. Chemotherapy can be used to reduce the size of tumors or remove cancer altogether. It can stop cancer from spreading throughout the body. Even in cases where cancer cannot be completely cured, chemotherapy can help relieve symptoms.

Chemotherapy is usually used as an adjunct to surgery and radiation in the fight against cancer either in a neoadjuvant (before surgery) or adjuvant (after surgery) setting. It can also be used as monotherapy against certain chemosensitive tumors like lymphomas and in a palliative setting where surgery is not an option but some benefit can still be achieved in slowing the cancer's progression.

Chemotherapy can be used neoadjuvantly which means before surgery to try to help shrink down a tumor.

It can also be used adjuvantly which means after surgery to try to help kill cancer cell that may have escaped into the blood system or lymph system.

Chemo can also be used to try to help control disease and to help improve symptoms that may be caused by the cancer.