CHEMOTHERAPY Meaning and
Definition
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Chemotherapy is a medical treatment method primarily used to treat cancer and other diseases. It involves the use of certain drugs, known as chemotherapeutic agents or anticancer drugs, to kill or inhibit the growth of cancerous cells in the body. Chemotherapy can be administered either orally in the form of pills or intravenously through injections into a vein.
The drugs used in chemotherapy work by targeting rapidly dividing cells, which include cancer cells. These drugs act by interfering with the cell's ability to divide and grow, ultimately leading to the death or suppression of the cancer cells. While chemotherapy specifically targets cancer cells, it can also affect normal, healthy cells in the body that divide rapidly, such as those found in the hair follicles, bone marrow, and digestive system. This can give rise to various side effects associated with chemotherapy, such as hair loss, nausea, fatigue, and weakened immune system.
Chemotherapy can be administered as the primary method of treatment, known as systemic chemotherapy, or it may be used alongside other treatment options like surgery and radiation therapy, called adjuvant chemotherapy. The choice of chemotherapy drugs, dosage, and frequency of treatment varies depending on the type and stage of cancer being treated, as well as the individual patient's overall health and other factors. The goal of chemotherapy is to eliminate or control cancer cells, reduce the size of tumors, prevent the spread of cancer to other parts of the body, relieve symptoms, and potentially cure the disease.
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Treatment of disease by means of chemical substances or drugs.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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Etymology of CHEMOTHERAPY
The word "chemotherapy" is derived from the combination of two Greek words: "chemo" meaning "chemical" and "therapy" meaning "treatment". The term was first used in the early 20th century to describe the use of chemicals for treating diseases, specifically cancer. Over time, the term "chemotherapy" became more commonly associated with the use of drugs to suppress or destroy malignant cells.
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