Intermediate
Technical
IVT
salvage therapy
Treatment given when cancer returns or fails to respond to initial therapy.
Full Definition
Salvage therapy refers to treatment administered when cancer recurs after initial treatment or when the disease fails to respond to first-line therapy. These regimens are typically more intensive or use different drug combinations than initial treatment. Salvage therapy aims to achieve remission in relapsed or refractory disease, though outcomes are generally less favorable than with initial treatment. The choice of salvage regimen depends on factors such as time to relapse, patient performance status, and previous treatments received.
Usage
Usage note: Implies prior treatment failure; distinguish from second-line therapy which may be planned.
In Context
- "The patient was started on salvage therapy following disease progression on first-line treatment." — Treatment modification note
- "Salvage chemotherapy achieved partial remission in the relapsed lymphoma." — Response assessment
Also known as
rescue therapy
relapse therapy
Contrasted with
first-line therapy
initial treatment
Don't confuse with
maintenance therapy
consolidation therapy