Adjuvant therapy is a commonly used term in oncology that refers to additional treatments given alongside surgery or radiation. The spelling of the word is /ˈædʒuːvənt ˈθerəpi/, with the IPA phonetic transcription helping to clarify the pronunciation for non-native English speakers. The "a" in adjuvant is pronounced like "ad" in "addition," while the "u" is similar to "uh" in "butter." The emphasis is on the second syllable, and the "th" sound in "therapy" is pronounced like the "th" in "think."
Adjuvant therapy refers to a type of treatment given after the primary or initial treatment of a disease, typically in the context of cancer. This therapy is employed to increase the effectiveness of the primary treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy, by helping to prevent a recurrence or spreading of the disease.
The purpose of adjuvant therapy is to eradicate any remaining cancer cells or reduce the risk of their regrowth, which may not be evident during the primary treatment. It aims to target microscopic or undetectable cancer cells that might have escaped from the primary tumor, potentially reducing the chances of a future relapse.
Adjuvant therapy can take various forms, including additional rounds of chemotherapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy, depending on the specific type and stage of cancer. It is commonly administered for a specific duration, typically weeks to months, following the primary treatment.
The decision to recommend adjuvant therapy is made based on various factors, such as the stage of the disease, tumor characteristics, and individual patient factors. The goal is to provide the patient with the best possible chance of long-term remission or cure by addressing any potential residual cancer cells that may remain after the primary treatment.
The word "adjuvant" comes from the Latin word "adjuvare", which means "to help" or "to assist". It was first used in English in the 17th century. The term "adjuvant therapy" is used in medicine to refer to an additional treatment that is given after the primary treatment (such as surgery or radiation therapy) to help prevent the recurrence of disease or to improve the effectiveness of the primary treatment.