chemotherapy
kee-moh-THEH-ruh-pee
Chemotherapy (noun) means Medical treatment using drugs, especially to destroy or slow cancer cells. Example: “She started chemotherapy shortly after her diagnosis.”
noun
1
Medical treatment using drugs, especially to destroy or slow cancer cells.
"She started chemotherapy shortly after her diagnosis."
How to use chemotherapy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDrug-based treatment, most commonly associated with fighting cancer.
Common pairings
round of chemotherapy
chemotherapy treatment
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Word forms
- Plural
- chemotherapies
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She started _____ shortly after her diagnosis.
Etymology
A blend of chemo- (from "chemical") and therapy, itself from Ancient Greek therapeia ("treatment").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for chemotherapy
See all rhymes for chemotherapy →Frequently asked questions
What does “chemotherapy” mean?
The word “chemotherapy” means medical treatment using drugs, especially to destroy or slow cancer cells. In plain terms, drug-based treatment, most commonly associated with fighting cancer.
How do you pronounce “chemotherapy”?
“Chemotherapy” is pronounced kee-moh-THEH-ruh-pee (/ˌkiːməʊˈθɛɹəpi/ in IPA).
How do you use “chemotherapy” in a sentence?
Here is “chemotherapy” used in a sentence: “She started chemotherapy shortly after her diagnosis.”
What part of speech is “chemotherapy”?
“Chemotherapy” is a noun.
Where does the word “chemotherapy” come from?
The word “chemotherapy” comes from Ancient Greek. A blend of chemo- (from "chemical") and therapy, itself from Ancient Greek therapeia ("treatment").
Is “chemotherapy” a common word?
“Chemotherapy” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between chemotherapy and radiation therapy?
Chemotherapy uses drugs that travel through the bloodstream to destroy or slow cancer cells throughout the body, while radiation therapy uses targeted high-energy beams aimed at a specific tumor site. Because chemotherapy circulates systemically, it tends to affect a wider range of tissue than the more localized approach of radiation.
Why does chemotherapy often cause side effects like hair loss and nausea?
Chemotherapy drugs work by targeting rapidly dividing cells, which describes cancer cells but also hair follicles and the lining of the digestive tract. This is why hair loss and nausea are common during treatment, even though the drugs are acting on the intended cancer cells.
Is chemotherapy always given through an injection?
No, chemotherapy can be delivered in several ways, including intravenous infusion, oral pills, or injections, depending on the drug and the cancer being treated. The delivery method is chosen based on what gets the drug most effectively to the cancer cells.
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