chemotherapy

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

noun

Medicine/Medical.

1. 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.

chemotherapy

/ kiːmə-, ˌkiːməʊˈθɛrəpɪ /

noun

1. treatment of disease, esp cancer, by means of chemical agents Compare radiotherapy

chemotherapy

1. The treatment of disease, especially cancer, using drugs that are destructive to malignant cells and tissues.

2. The treatment of disease using chemical agents or drugs that are selectively toxic to the causative agent of the disease, such as a microorganism.

chemotherapy

1. 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.

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

Other Word Forms

• chemotherapist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of chemotherapy¹

First recorded in 1905–10; chemo- + therapy

Example Sentences

Ms Shemirani's mother tried to blame medical staff for her daughter's death and has previously labelled chemotherapy as "mustard gas".

From BBC

Baby Molly then had a year of chemotherapy, and took five different types of chemotherapy drugs as part of a clinical trial.

From BBC

The previous year he had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma but continued to work while undergoing chemotherapy and made a full recovery.

From BBC

The royals made an emotional visit to Southport last autumn, in what was the princess's first public engagement after she had finished her chemotherapy.

From BBC

But after nine chemotherapy cycles and various surgeries, she has been in remission for two years and no longer needs medication.

From BBC

Related Words

• bomber