ENGLISH
REFERENCE

chemotherapy

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌkimoʊˈθɛɹəpi// UK //kˌiːməʊθˈɛɹəpi// chemo·ther·apy

n. medical treatment that uses strong drugs to kill fast-growing cells in the body, especially cancer cells.

n. the treatment of disease, particularly cancer, by the use of chemical agents that destroy or inhibit the growth of abnormal cells.


SIMPLE

She starts chemotherapy next week.

CONTEXTUAL

The doctor explained how chemotherapy targets rapidly dividing cells throughout the body.

COMPLEX

While chemotherapy effectively shrinks tumours, it often damages healthy tissue, leading to side effects like hair loss and fatigue.

Origin

From chemo- + therapy.

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