About Adjuvant Therapy

Overview

Adjuvant therapy is an additional treatment given after the primary treatment, such as surgery, to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence. It aims to kill any remaining cancer cells in the body. Adjuvant therapy is used for various types of cancer, including breast cancer, bladder cancer, and others.

• Types of adjuvant therapies:
  • Chemotherapy: Uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Chemotherapy may be given by mouth, injection, or infusion, or on the skin.
  • Radiation therapy: Also called irradiation and radiotherapy. Uses high-energy radiation from x-rays, gamma rays, neutrons, protons, and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may be administered using:
    • A machine outside the body (external-beam radiation therapy)
    • Radioactive material placed in the body near cancer cells (internal radiation therapy or brachytherapy).
    • Systemic radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance, such as a radiolabeled monoclonal antibody, that travels in the blood to tissues throughout the body. Also called irradiation and radiotherapy.
  • Hormone therapy: Hormone treatment in cancer adds, blocks, or removes hormones.
  • Biological therapy: Also called biological response modifier therapy, biotherapy, and BRM therapy. Uses substances made from living organisms to treat stimulate or suppress the immune system to help fight cancer. These substances may occur naturally in the body or may be made in the laboratory. Types of biological therapy include:
    • Immunotherapy (such as cytokines, cancer treatment vaccines, and some antibodies)
    • Some targeted therapies. Also called biological response modifier therapy, biotherapy, and BRM therapy.
    • Targeted therapy: Uses drugs or other substances to target specific molecules that cancer cells need to survive and spread. Targeted therapies may stop cancer cells from growing by interrupting signals that cause them to grow and divide, stopping signals that help form blood vessels, delivering cell-killing substances to cancer cells, or starving cancer cells of hormones they need to grow. Most targeted therapies are either small-molecule drugs or monoclonal antibodies.
• When it is used: Adjuvant therapies are typically used for early-stage cancers where surgery is the primary treatment. It helps address any remaining cancer cells or prevent their spread.
• How it is used: Adjuvant therapies are administered after the primary treatment. They can be given before or after surgery, depending on the specific situation and treatment plan.

It's important to consult with your doctor to determine if adjuvant therapy is appropriate for your specific case. They will consider various factors like cancer stage, type, and individual characteristics to create a personalized treatment plan.