chemotherapy
the treatment of disease by means of chemicals that have a specific toxic effect upon the disease-producing microorganisms or that selectively destroy cancerous tissue.
Origin of chemotherapy
1Other words from chemotherapy
- che·mo·ther·a·pist, noun
- Compare pharmacotherapy.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for chemotherapy
/ (ˌkiːməʊˈθɛrəpɪ, kiːmə-) /
treatment of disease, esp cancer, by means of chemical agents: Compare radiotherapy
Derived forms of chemotherapy
- chemotherapist, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for chemotherapy
[ kē′mō-thĕr′ə-pē ]
The treatment of disease, especially cancer, using drugs that are destructive to malignant cells and tissues.
The treatment of disease using chemical agents or drugs that are selectively toxic to the causative agent of the disease, such as a microorganism.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for chemotherapy
[ (kee-moh-ther-uh-pee) ]
Notes for chemotherapy
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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