neoadjuvant therapy
Pronunciation: nee-oh-AD-juh-vuhnt
Cancer treatment administered before the primary surgical intervention to shrink tumors and improve surgical outcomes.
Full Definition
Neoadjuvant therapy encompasses chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or combined modalities delivered prior to definitive surgical resection. In gastrointestinal oncology, this approach is particularly common for rectal cancer, gastric cancer, and locally advanced pancreatic tumors. The strategy aims to downsize tumors, eliminate micrometastases, and potentially convert unresectable disease to resectable status. Editorial care is needed to distinguish this from adjuvant therapy, which occurs after surgery.
Usage
Usage note: Hyphenate as compound modifier (neoadjuvant therapy); distinguish clearly from adjuvant in all contexts.
In Context
- "The patient completed neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy with excellent tumor response." — Multidisciplinary team note
- "Neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX resulted in significant tumor downsizing before pancreaticoduodenectomy." — Surgical planning document