Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) Nursing Practice Test

What is neoadjuvant therapy?

1. Treatment applied after primary therapy

2. Treatment given before primary therapy to control potential metastasis

3. A therapy that induces tumor regression

4. Combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy

The correct answer is: Treatment given before primary therapy to control potential metastasis

Neoadjuvant therapy refers specifically to treatment administered before the primary treatment, particularly before surgery, with the goal of reducing the size of the tumor or controlling potential metastasis. This approach can make a tumor easier to remove surgically and increase the chance of successful outcomes. By addressing the tumor's aggressiveness and potentially any micro-metastatic disease early on, neoadjuvant therapy may improve overall survival rates and allow for less extensive surgical interventions. The timing of neoadjuvant therapy is crucial; it is intended to be applied before the main treatment, which is typically surgery in the case of solid tumors. This differentiates it from other types of therapy, such as adjuvant therapy, which is given after the primary treatment to eliminate any remaining cancer cells. The emphasis on control of potential metastasis is particularly important, as this proactive approach may prevent cancer from spreading further in the body during the critical period before surgery.