What is neoadjuvant therapy?

Neoadjuvant therapy refers specifically to treatment that is administered before the primary treatment, which is usually surgery, with the goal of shrinking a tumor to make it easier to remove or to allow for less extensive surgery. This approach is commonly used in the treatment of various cancers, particularly breast cancer, where chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be given before surgery.

By reducing the size of the tumor, neoadjuvant therapy can improve surgical outcomes, potentially increase the chance of complete removal of the cancer, and evaluate the tumor's response to treatment. This can also lead to a better understanding of the cancer’s behavior, which helps in planning further treatment after the surgery.

The other options describe different types of treatment that do not align with the definition of neoadjuvant therapy. Treatments given after the main procedure, those focused solely on pain relief, and methods aimed exclusively at improving nutritional intake do not fall under the neoadjuvant category, which is distinctly about interventions prior to the primary surgical intervention for cancer.