How does neoadjuvant chemotherapy differ from adjuvant chemotherapy?

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is administered before surgery, with the primary goal of shrinking tumors and making surgical removal easier or more successful. This approach is particularly useful in cases where the cancer is large or aggressive, allowing for the possibility of less extensive surgery and improving surgical outcomes. By reducing the size of the tumor prior to surgery, neoadjuvant chemotherapy can also help in assessing how the cancer responds to the treatment, which can inform further treatment decisions.

In contrast, adjuvant chemotherapy is given after surgery to eliminate any remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence. The timing and purpose of these treatments highlight the strategic differences in their application in cancer management.

The other options present distinct characteristics that don't apply to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. For instance, neoadjuvant chemotherapy is not characterized by lower doses or a limitation to advanced cancers; rather, it is given at doses intended to be effective against the cancer prior to surgical intervention.