What is the focus of drug therapy in chemotherapy?

The focus of drug therapy in chemotherapy is centered on reducing tumor volume and inhibiting cell division. This approach is vital because the primary goal of chemotherapy is to target rapidly dividing cancer cells, thereby reducing the size of tumors and potentially leading to remission. Chemotherapy drugs are designed to interfere with the cellular processes that allow cancer cells to proliferate uncontrollably. By minimizing the tumor burden, chemotherapy can help improve patient outcomes and overall survival rates.

While enhancing pain management and reducing symptoms are important aspects of comprehensive cancer care, they are not the main goals of chemotherapy itself, which specifically aims to combat the cancer by reducing tumor size. Additionally, effective chemotherapy strategies are crafted to target cancer cells rather than solely affecting healthy tissues, though the challenge often lies in minimizing damage to normal cells as well.