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Neoadjuvant therapy

Healthwise
By Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH

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Neoadjuvant therapy is treatment given before the primary treatment for a condition or disease. Examples of neoadjuvant therapy include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy given before surgery to remove cancer.

Neoadjuvant therapy is often given to reduce the size of the surgical area or to provide for a better cosmetic result. Additional chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or hormone therapy is usually needed following the surgery for the treatment of cancer.

Author:Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH
Medical Review:
Last Updated: 05/25/2007