Which statement best describes adjuvant therapy in treatment planning?

• A. Additional therapy after primary treatment to eradicate residual disease.
• B. Used before primary therapy to shrink tumor.
• C. The same as neoadjuvant therapy.
• D. Experimental therapy.

Answer: (A)

Adjuvant therapy is treatment given after the primary intervention to eliminate any remaining cancer cells and reduce the chance of recurrence. It targets microscopic residual disease that surgery or another main treatment may not remove, with the goal of improving long-term outcomes. This distinguishes it from neoadjuvant therapy, which is given before the main treatment to shrink the tumor and make it easier to remove. Adjuvant therapy can be standard practice and may include chemotherapy, radiation, hormonal therapy, or targeted therapies depending on the cancer type. An example is giving chemotherapy or radiation after surgical resection to eradicate any leftover cancer cells.