HealthSeptember 4, 2026

neoadjuvant

NEE-oh-AD-juh-vuhnt

Definition

Referring to a medical therapy, such as chemotherapy or radiation, administered to a patient before the primary treatment (usually surgery) to shrink a tumor.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek prefix 'neo-' meaning 'new' and the Latin 'adjuvans' meaning 'helping' or 'assisting', reflecting its role as a supplementary treatment that precedes the primary intervention.

In the news

The article uses the term to describe therapy given before surgery to patients with non-small cell lung cancer, helping to explain the sequencing of their treatment protocol.

Blood Cancer's First New Drug in 29 Years; AI for Mammography? Phase III Myeloma Win

Read the full article ↗

MedPage Today

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