chemotherapy

noun
che·​mo·​ther·​a·​py | \ ˌkē-mō-ˈther-ə-pē How to pronounce chemotherapy (audio) \

Definition of chemotherapy

: the therapeutic use of chemical agents to treat disease especially : the administration of one or more cytotoxic drugs to destroy or inhibit the growth and division of malignant cells in the treatment of cancer

Note: Chemotherapy may be used alone as a primary treatment or may be used before, after, or in conjunction with surgery or radiation.

called also chemo

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Other Words from chemotherapy

chemotherapist \ ˌkē-​mō-​ˈther-​ə-​pist How to pronounce chemotherapist (audio) \ noun

Examples of chemotherapy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Rose, who is now undergoing chemotherapy to treat her breast cancer, believes the two will remain friends long after her duel with the disease is over. Catie Wegman, sun-sentinel.com, "Susan G. Komen foundation expands Palm Beach County program to help low-income women navigate breast cancer," 22 July 2019 Brittany had been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and would have to undergo chemotherapy. Natt Garun, The Verge, "The future of fitness is together but alone," 18 July 2019 At six months, Michelle began undergoing chemotherapy. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, "San Diego family spreads healthy eating mission at Parakeet Café," 17 July 2019 The reality star began chemotherapy in December 2018, Brettler confirmed to USA TODAY at the time. Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, "'Dog the Bounty Hunter' star Duane Chapman offers fans an update amid wife Beth's medically-induced coma," 24 June 2019 The problem is the patients die mostly from the side effects of the chemotherapy than from the cancer itself. Lilly Nguyen, Daily Pilot, "UCI team develops noninvasive bone cancer treatment using stem cells," 18 July 2019 She’s been told by the oncologist that her treatment will require 96 straight hours of in-patient IV chemotherapy called R-EPOCH every three weeks over an 18-week period. courant.com, "Community News For The Wethersfield Edition," 17 July 2019 After eight months of intense chemotherapy, Goyal even tried out for the Seattle United team in April, making the U9 premier team and scoring three goals in his first four games in June. Alaa Abdeldaiem, SI.com, "Watch: Bheem Goyal, 8-Year-Old Battling Leukemia, Starts in Goal for Sounders," 17 July 2019 Conner began chemotherapy, and after six months, he was declared cancer free in May of 2016. Allen Kim, CNN, "NFL player told he had 'about a week' to live after being diagnosed with cancer," 16 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'chemotherapy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of chemotherapy

1910, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for chemotherapy

International Scientific Vocabulary

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More Definitions for chemotherapy

chemotherapy

noun

English Language Learners Definition of chemotherapy

medical : the use of chemicals to treat or control a disease (such as cancer)

chemotherapy

noun
che·​mo·​ther·​a·​py | \ -ˈther-ə-pē How to pronounce chemotherapy (audio) \
plural chemotherapies

Medical Definition of chemotherapy

: the therapeutic use of chemical agents to treat disease Pyrazinamide is one of the most important drugs in modern chemotherapy of tuberculosis …— Max Salfinger et al., The Journal of the American Medical Association, 22 Mar. 1995 especially : the administration of one or more cytotoxic drugs to destroy or inhibit the growth and division of malignant cells in the treatment of cancer Cancer cells mutate at a furious rate, and they can evolve the means to resist most chemotherapy drugs, requiring higher and more toxic doses to achieve an effect. — Shannon Brownlee and Nancy Shute, U.S. News & World Report, 18 May 1998 Neutropenia and infection are major dose-limiting side effects of chemotherapy. — Jeffrey Crawford et al., The New England Journal of Medicine, 18 July 1991

called also chemo

Note: Chemotherapy may be used alone as a primary treatment or may be used before, after, or in conjunction with surgery or radiation.