Chemotherapeutic

/ˌkiːmoʊθɛrəˈpjuːtɪk/ adjective

Definition

Relating to or used in the treatment of disease with chemical substances or drugs, especially anticancer medications.

Etymology

From chemotherapy (chemo- 'chemical' + therapy from Greek therapeia 'healing, care') + -ic adjectival suffix. Emerged in early-to-mid 20th century medicine.

Kelly Says

Chemotherapeutic drugs are engineered assassins designed to kill cancer cells while trying not to harm healthy ones—it's one of medicine's trickiest balancing acts.

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