Which type of therapy may be used in conjunction with chemotherapy to enhance overall treatment outcomes?

Radiation therapy is often utilized alongside chemotherapy to enhance treatment outcomes for various types of cancers. This combination can be particularly effective as both modalities target cancer cells, but in different ways. Chemotherapy works systemically to kill cancer cells throughout the body, while radiation therapy focuses on a specific area, using high-energy particles or waves to destroy cancer cells.

By strategically combining these therapies, healthcare providers can aim to maximize the destruction of tumors, reduce sizes before surgical intervention, or eliminate remaining cancer cells after the initial treatment. This approach can lead to improved prognosis and survival rates for patients, as the synergistic effects of these therapies can create a more comprehensive assault on the cancer.

Other options, while they have their roles in cancer treatment, do not specifically enhance the outcomes of chemotherapy in the same way that radiation therapy does. For instance, psychotherapy can support the emotional well-being of patients, surgery can remove tumors but is not always combined with chemotherapy, and hormonal therapy targets specific cancer types with hormone receptors but is not a universal adjunct to chemotherapy.