chemotherapy

(-t̸herə pē)

noun

the prevention or treatment of disease by the administration of drugs

Origin: Ger chemotherapie

Related Forms:

See chemotherapy in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. The treatment of cancer using specific chemical agents or drugs that are selectively destructive to malignant cells and tissues.
  2. The treatment of disease using chemical agents or drugs that are selectively toxic to the causative agent of the disease, such as a virus, bacterium, or other microorganism.

Related Forms:

  • cheˌmo·therˌa·peuˈtic (-pyo͞oˈtĭk) adjective
  • cheˌmo·therˌa·peuˈti·cal·ly adverb
  • cheˌmo·therˈa·pist noun

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