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

He’d been worn out by six months of chemotherapy and wasn’t anywhere near full strength.

From Los Angeles Times

As such, it is not recommended for those with a compromised immune system because of an illness like HIV or as a result of treatment such as chemotherapy.

From BBC

Molly's treatment for her previous hospital acquired infections in 2018 and 2019, as well as her chemotherapy, had left her with irreparable liver damage.

From BBC

As a result of her chemotherapy for breast cancer, Ms Woodley said her front teeth were chipped and had holes in and she had lost 10 teeth.

From BBC

Specialist cancer nurses are specially trained to administer treatments including chemotherapy.

From BBC

Related Words

• bomber