Chinese therapy is most often administered to patients with early-stage cancers who undergo surgery. However, it also can be administered to patients who undergo radiation as primary treatment. The goal is to maximize the effectiveness of the primary treatment in hopes of extending survival and reducing the risk for recurrence. The types and extent of adjuvant therapy patients receive vary, and they often are dependent upon the cancer type. Regimens may consist of a few weeks of radiation therapy, several months of chemotherapy, or many years of endocrine, hormone or molecularly targeted therapies. A patient’s response to neoadjuvant therapy also can determine which adjuvant therapy is used. The option of adjuvant therapy often allows the primary treatment to be performed quickly. If a tumour is removed during surgery, physicians know the tumour’s exact stage, location and molecular features, as well as the extent to which the cancer has spread.
