Ace the Oncology Nursing Game: 2025 Chemo-Bio Certification Practice Test Adventure!

Adjuvant chemotherapy is a treatment approach administered after surgical intervention to eradicate any remaining cancer cells. The primary purpose of this therapy is to decrease the risk of cancer recurrence. Following surgery, even if the tumor has been completely removed, there can still be microscopic residual cells that may lead to a return of the disease. Adjuvant chemotherapy helps to address this concern by using systemic treatment to target these potential remnants.

In addition to reducing recurrence risk, adjuvant chemotherapy can improve overall survival rates for certain types of cancer, especially when there is a high probability of metastasis. This makes it a critical component in the comprehensive care of patients who have undergone surgery for cancer.

The other treatment options, such as neoadjuvant chemotherapy, are given before surgery, and palliative therapy focuses on symptom relief rather than curative intent. Intrathecal therapy involves delivering medication directly into the cerebrospinal fluid and is typically used for central nervous system issues rather than as a follow-up to surgical treatment for cancer.