Goals of Cancer Therapy

Question 1

Antineoplastic Therapies

Answer 1

Inhibits or prevents the growth and spread of tumors or malignant cells (chemotherapy and hormone therapy)

Question 2

Chemoprevention

definition and examples

Answer 2

Use of meds, vitamins, minerals, and other agents to reduce the risk of developing cancer. Example- hormone therapy (anti-estrogen agent) to reduce the risk of breast cancer in high-risk women

Question 3

Adjuvant Therapy
(definition and example)

Answer 3

Additional chemotherapy treatment after the primary treatment
Example- chemo after a lobectomy to treat lung cancer

Question 4

Definitive therapy
(definition and example)

Answer 4

The use of radiation as the primary treatment, with or without chemo
Example- radiation is given to treat prostate cancer

Question 5

Neoadjuvant Therapy 
(definition and example)

Answer 5

Use of one or more treatment modalities before the primary treatment
Example: chemo and radiation given before esophagectomy

Question 6

Palliation

definition and example

Answer 6

Use of treatment modalities when the disease is uncurable

Example- radiation therapy for painful bony lesions related to metastatic disease

Question 7

Prophylaxis Therapy 
(definition and example)

Answer 7

Use of radiation therapy as relief of symptoms to improve quality of life
Example- whole-brain irradiation

Question 8

Antimetabolite Definition

Answer 8

a substance that interferes with the normal metabolic processes within cells, typically by combining with enzymes. Cell cycle-specific

Question 9

NADIR

Answer 9

the point in time between chemotherapy cycles in which you experience low blood counts