What is the purpose of neoadjuvant chemotherapy?

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is administered prior to surgical intervention, and its primary purpose is to shrink tumors and eliminate residual cancer before surgery. This approach can make tumors easier to remove, potentially allowing for less extensive surgery. By reducing the size of the cancer, neoadjuvant chemotherapy can also decrease the likelihood of cancer spreading to nearby tissues or lymph nodes during the surgical procedure.

Additionally, this strategy may help assess the tumor's response to chemotherapy, giving the healthcare team valuable information about the cancer's characteristics and behavior. It allows for a more tailored and effective treatment plan going forward, with the potential to improve overall prognosis.

While supportive care, managing side effects, and enhancing surgical outcomes are important aspects of comprehensive cancer treatment, they do not encompass the main goal of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, which is to target the tumor directly prior to surgery for better surgical results.