What is the purpose of adjuvant chemotherapy?

The purpose of adjuvant chemotherapy is primarily to prevent microscopic spread of cancer after the tumor has been removed surgically. Even when a tumor is surgically excised, there may be undetected cancer cells remaining in the body that have the potential to grow and lead to a recurrence. Adjuvant chemotherapy aims to target these microscopic cells, thereby reducing the risk of recurrence and improving long-term survival rates.

This approach is particularly important in certain cancers where the likelihood of residual disease is significant. Administering chemotherapy post-surgery serves as a systemic treatment that can eliminate these cells before they can develop into detectable tumors. This is vital in improving overall outcomes for patients who have previously undergone surgical resection of their tumors.

In contrast, the other options refer to different treatment strategies. Shrinking a tumor before surgery is the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Managing pain is an important aspect of cancer care but does not specifically relate to the primary intention of adjuvant chemotherapy. Finally, while surgery is a critical part of cancer treatment, adjuvant chemotherapy is not intended to replace surgical intervention but rather to complement it to enhance patient prognosis.