What is the typical focus of chemotherapy treatment?

The typical focus of chemotherapy treatment is to reduce tumor size and kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy utilizes cytotoxic drugs that target rapidly dividing cells, which is characteristic of cancer cells. By disrupting their ability to grow and replicate, chemotherapy aims not only to shrink tumors but also to eradicate cancer cells, thereby helping to control the disease and potentially lead to remission.

While chemotherapy can have various effects alongside its primary goal of tumor reduction, such as improving the quality of life and managing symptoms related to cancer treatment, its cornerstone remains the direct action against cancer cells. This foundational goal is crucial in cancer therapy, as successful tumor reduction can lead to better prognoses and treatment outcomes for patients overall. Other approaches, like pain management, are certainly important aspects of holistic cancer care, but they are secondary to the primary objective of chemotherapy.