chemotherapy

noun

che·​mo·​ther·​a·​py ˌkē-mō-ˈther-ə-pē 

: the therapeutic use of chemical agents to treat disease

especially : the administration of one or more cytotoxic drugs to destroy or inhibit the growth and division of malignant cells in the treatment of cancer

Note: Chemotherapy may be used alone as a primary treatment or may be used before, after, or in conjunction with surgery or radiation.

called also chemo

chemotherapist

ˌkē-mō-ˈther-ə-pist 

noun

Examples of chemotherapy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The top five classes of drugs affected are central nervous system medications, antimicrobials, hormone agents, chemotherapies, and fluids and electrolytes. —Samanth Subramanian, Quartz, 13 Apr. 2024

Adderall prescriptions have been filled less often amid ongoing shortage in the US Along with the 32 chemotherapy drugs that are in shortage, the five categories of drugs with the most shortages include central nervous system stimulants, antimicrobials, hormone agents and intravenous fluids. —Deidre McPhillips, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024

There were multiple surgeries and heavy chemotherapy. —Justin Taylor, The New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2024

If my lymph nodes were cancer-free, I’d be cleared to skip chemotherapy. —Alexis Berger, SELF, 11 Apr. 2024

Some types of chemotherapy drugs can cause peripheral neuropathy, which is a set of symptoms caused by damage to nerves that control the sensations and movements of our arms, legs, hands, and feet, according to the American Cancer Society. —Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024

Ginger has been shown in studies to encourage digestion and aid in nausea related to bloating, gas, pregnancy and chemotherapy. —Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 7 Apr. 2024

There are many types of cancer treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy and hormonal therapy, among others. —Alexander Olawaiye, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2024

But her sense of urgency grew when her mother was diagnosed with stage four cancer and began chemotherapy appointments. —Lindsey Holden, Sacramento Bee, 29 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Chemotherapie, from chemo- chemo- + Therapie therapy

Note: The German word Chemotherapie is strongly associated with Paul ehrlich, though it is uncertain if he is its originator. Ehrlich probably first used the word in print in the article "Chemotherapeutische Trypanosomen-Studien," Berliner klinische Wochenschrift, 44. Jahrgang, No. 9 (March 4, 1907), pp. 233-36 (along with the Latin equivalent chemotherapia in the phrase chemotherapia specifica). Ehrlich employed the word earlier, however, in an address read at the dedication of the Georg-Speyer-Haus in Frankfurt am Main on September 6, 1906. What appears to be a summary of the address was published as "Die Aufgaben der Chemotherapie" ("The Tasks of Chemotherapy") in the feuilleton section of the Frankfurter Zeitung und Handelsblatt, 51. Jahrgang, No. 244, September 4, 1906, p. 1. The full text of the address ("Ansprache bei Einweihung des Georg-Speyer-Hauses") was published for the first time in The Collected Papers of Paul Ehrlich, edited by F. Himmelweit, vol. III Chemotherapy (London, 1960), pp. 42-52.

First Known Use

1910, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

chemotherapy

noun

che·​mo·​ther·​a·​py ˌke-mō-ˈther-ə-pē 

: the use of chemical agents in the treatment or control of disease (as cancer)

chemotherapeutic

-ˌther-ə-ˈpyüt-ik

adjective

Medical Definition

chemotherapy

noun

che·​mo·​ther·​a·​py -ˈther-ə-pē 

plural chemotherapies

: the therapeutic use of chemical agents to treat disease

Pyrazinamide is one of the most important drugs in modern chemotherapy of tuberculosis …

—Max Salfinger et al., The Journal of the American Medical Association

especially : the administration of one or more cytotoxic drugs to destroy or inhibit the growth and division of malignant cells in the treatment of cancer

Cancer cells mutate at a furious rate, and they can evolve the means to resist most chemotherapy drugs, requiring higher and more toxic doses to achieve an effect.

—Shannon Brownlee and Nancy Shute, U.S. News & World Report

Neutropenia and infection are major dose-limiting side effects of chemotherapy.

—Jeffrey Crawford et al., The New England Journal of Medicine

called also chemo

Note: Chemotherapy may be used alone as a primary treatment or may be used before, after, or in conjunction with surgery or radiation.