Treatment words
Neoadjuvant therapy
Also written as Neoadjuvant chemotherapy, NACT, Neoadjuvant, Neo-adjuvant
What it means
Neoadjuvant therapy is treatment given as a first step to shrink a tumour before the main treatment, which is usually surgery. Examples are chemotherapy, radiation therapy and hormone therapy.
Why it matters
Giving treatment first can shrink the tumour before surgery. Your oncologist decides whether this suits your case.
Ask your oncologist
"Why is treatment being given before surgery in my case?"
From NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms: neoadjuvant therapy. Not medical advice: your oncologist decides.