What does 'neoadjuvant therapy' refer to in oncology?

Neoadjuvant therapy refers to treatment that is administered before the primary treatment, typically surgery, in the management of cancer. This approach is often employed to shrink tumors or decrease the extent of the disease, making the subsequent surgical procedure less extensive and more successful. By providing therapy before the main intervention, oncologists aim to improve outcomes and potentially allow for less invasive surgical options.

In many cases, neoadjuvant therapy can include therapies such as chemotherapy, radiation, or hormonal treatment, depending on the type of cancer and individual patient factors. This approach also offers the opportunity to assess the tumor’s response to the therapy before proceeding with surgery, allowing for more personalized treatment planning.

The other options delineate distinctly different treatment approaches. Treatments administered after primary treatment represent adjuvant therapies, which support recovery or target any remaining cancer cells post-surgery. Targeting only metastatic cancer does not capture the intent of neoadjuvant therapy, as it is often used in localized cases to manage the tumor before surgery. Lastly, therapy focused solely on pain management does not describe neoadjuvant treatment but rather palliative care, which has a different goal in oncology care.