Adjuvant Therapy

What is Adjuvant Therapy?

Adjuvant therapy is a type of medical treatment that is used along with primary treatment to get the most out of it. It is used to destroy any remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk of the cancer coming back. Adjuvant therapy may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, or other newer treatments.

Benefits of Adjuvant Therapy

Adjuvant therapy can offer many benefits by making sure not all cancer cells are removed during primary treatment and providing additional treatment to reduce the risk of cancer relapse. Benefits of adjuvant therapy include:

• Reduces the risk of cancer relapse
• Increases survival rates
• Improves overall quality of life
• Reduces the risk of metastasis (spread of the cancer to other areas of the body)
• Decreases the chance of local recurrence (cancer returning to the site of the initial tumor)

Risks of Adjuvant Therapy

Adjuvant therapy can also cause side-effects and risks similar to primary cancer treatment. These can include:

• Fatigue
• Hair loss
• Nausea or vomiting
• Anemia
• Reduced fertility
• Organ damage
• Infections

Patients receiving adjuvant therapy should always check with their doctor before beginning any new medication or supplement. It is also very important to discuss any side-effects with your doctor.