What is the primary purpose of chemotherapy in cancer treatment?

The primary purpose of chemotherapy in cancer treatment is to kill rapidly dividing cancer cells. Chemotherapy agents target and attack cells that are in the process of dividing, which is a fundamental characteristic of cancer cells since they often proliferate uncontrollably. By inhibiting further cell division and promoting cell death, chemotherapy aims to reduce the overall tumor burden and control the disease.

While it is true that pain relief, shrinking tumors for surgical removal, and reducing the risk of metastasis are important aspects of cancer management, they are not the fundamental goal of chemotherapy itself. Chemotherapy may contribute to these outcomes indirectly; for example, by shrinking tumors, it may facilitate surgical interventions, but the core mechanism and objective is to eliminate the cancerous cells through their targeted action on the rapid cell division associated with malignancies. This understanding is essential for comprehending the role of various treatment modalities in oncology and how they contribute to overall patient care.