chemotherapy

[ kee-moh-ther-uh-pee, kem-oh- ]

/ ˌki moʊˈθɛr ə pi, ˌkɛm oʊ- /

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noun Medicine/Medical.

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.

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Compare pharmacotherapy.

Origin of chemotherapy

First recorded in 1905–10; chemo- + therapy

OTHER WORDS FROM chemotherapy

che·mo·ther·a·pist, noun

Words nearby chemotherapy

chemosynthesis, chemosynthetic bacteria, chemotaxis, chemotaxonomy, chemotherapeutics, chemotherapy, chemotroph, chemotropism, chempaduk, Chemulpo, chemurgy

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use chemotherapy in a sentence

His innovations in the use of chemotherapy proved even more revolutionary.
Emil Freireich, a pioneer of chemotherapy and a ‘towering figure in oncology,’ dies at 93|Emily Langer|February 4, 2021|Washington Post
One approach might be trying to time vaccination “in between cycles of chemotherapy, if possible,” said Catherine Liu, a professor in the vaccine and infectious-disease division at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle.
Are the coronavirus vaccines safe for someone with cancer, dementia or MS?|Judith Graham|January 31, 2021|Washington Post
She has received two rounds of chemotherapy and is now going through immunotherapy while participating in the singalongs.
The incredible story of how 1,700 handwritten cards came from across the world for a group of D.C. hospital workers|Theresa Vargas|January 27, 2021|Washington Post
The governor also announced he would again broaden the pool of eligible residents starting Monday to include severely immunocompromised people, such as those undergoing chemotherapy.
As D.C. region sets record for coronavirus deaths, Hogan expands vaccine access in Maryland|Erin Cox, Julie Zauzmer, Meagan Flynn|January 26, 2021|Washington Post

Dialysis and chemotherapy patients struggled as hospitals got overburdened.
Our familiar habits and rituals changed in 2020—hopefully forever|Ananya Bhattacharya|December 24, 2020|Quartz
With chemotherapy, her doctors give her at least an 80 percent chance of survival.
Should Teens Have The Right To Die?|Brandy Zadrozny|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Cassandra, whose hair has already begun to fall out from her court-mandated chemotherapy, could face a similar outcome.
Should Teens Have The Right To Die?|Brandy Zadrozny|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Men and women who become infertile as a result of chemotherapy could also regain their reproductive capabilities.
Men Will Someday Have Kids Without Women|Samantha Allen|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Carol was strong-willed and energetic—she continued teaching and running marathons well into her chemotherapy.
The Nurse Coaching People Through Death by Starvation|Nick Tabor|November 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Others, she says, wait until their 84th round of chemotherapy.
The Nurse Coaching People Through Death by Starvation|Nick Tabor|November 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Physical conditioning, systems of exercise, experimentation in chemotherapy are still being undertaken.
This Crowded Earth|Robert Bloch
Whether chemotherapy will ever profit from a knowledge of such chemical relationships remains to be developed.
The Fundamentals of Bacteriology|Charles Bradfield Morrey

British Dictionary definitions for chemotherapy

chemotherapy

/ (ˌkiːməʊˈθɛrəpɪ, kiːmə-) /

noun

treatment of disease, esp cancer, by means of chemical agentsCompare 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

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.

Cultural definitions for chemotherapy

chemotherapy

[ (kee-moh-ther-uh-pee) ]

The treatment of disease with chemicals. The term chemotherapy often refers to a kind of treatment for cancer in which chemicals are administered to destroy cancer cells.

notes for chemotherapy

There are often side effects to chemotherapy, a common one being the temporary loss of hair.

chemotherapy

Origin of chemotherapy

OTHER WORDS FROM chemotherapy

Words nearby chemotherapy

Words related to chemotherapy

How to use chemotherapy in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for chemotherapy

Derived forms of chemotherapy

Scientific definitions for chemotherapy

Cultural definitions for chemotherapy

notes for chemotherapy