Maintenance therapy is ongoing cancer treatment given after an initial treatment has worked. It is used to help keep cancer under control for longer. It is most common after remission or a strong response to first-line therapy. It is used in both solid tumors and blood cancers, depending on the diagnosis.
Consolidation therapy is additional cancer treatment given after an initial phase of treatment has worked. Its plain goal is to “lock in” a response—often a remission—by treating cancer cells that may still be present but hard to detect. It is commonly discussed in hematologic cancers (like leukemia and lymphoma) and is also used in some solid-tumor care plans. The exact approach varies by cancer type and stage.
Definitive therapy means treatment given with the main goal of eliminating a cancer or achieving long-term control. It describes the *intent* of treatment, not one specific drug, surgery, or radiation technique. It is commonly used in oncology when a care team believes cure or durable control is a realistic goal. It is often contrasted with palliative therapy, which focuses primarily on symptom relief and quality of life.
Neoadjuvant therapy means cancer treatment given *before* the main (definitive) treatment. It is most often used before surgery, but it may also be used before radiation or other local treatments. The goal is to improve how well the next treatment works, not to delay it unnecessarily. It is commonly discussed in breast, rectal, esophageal, bladder, and certain lung and pancreatic cancers, among others.
Adjuvant therapy is cancer treatment given after the main treatment. Its goal is to reduce the chance that cancer returns. It is commonly used after surgery, and sometimes after radiation or other primary treatments. Adjuvant therapy can include medicines, radiation, and other supportive interventions.
Curative intent means a cancer treatment plan is given with the goal of eliminating the cancer and achieving long-term remission without ongoing therapy. It is a clinical label used in oncology to describe the overall aim of care, not a single treatment. It is commonly used when planning surgery, radiation therapy, systemic therapy, or combinations of these. It is documented in treatment discussions, consent forms, and care pathways to clarify goals and expectations.
Treatment intent is the clinical goal a cancer care team is trying to achieve with a specific plan. It describes *why* a treatment is being given, not just *what* treatment is chosen. It is commonly documented in oncology visits, tumor board discussions, consent forms, and care plans. It helps patients and clinicians align expectations about outcomes, timelines, and follow-up.
Shared decision-making is a structured process where a clinician and patient make healthcare choices together. It combines clinical evidence with the patient’s goals, values, and preferences. It is commonly used in cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment planning. It can also be used for symptom control, supportive care, and survivorship planning.
Palliative oncology is cancer care focused on relieving symptoms and stress related to cancer and its treatment. It is used alongside oncology treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, or targeted therapy. It aims to improve quality of life for patients and support families and caregivers. It is commonly provided in hospitals, outpatient cancer centers, and sometimes at home-based or hospice programs.
Supportive oncology is care that prevents and treats the symptoms and side effects of cancer and its treatments. It focuses on comfort, function, and quality of life alongside tumor-directed care. It is used in hospitals, outpatient cancer centers, infusion units, radiation clinics, and survivorship programs. It can be involved at any time from diagnosis through treatment and follow-up.