chemotherapy
Loading your saved state.
chemotherapy
A medical treatment for diseases, especially cancer, in which chemical substances (cytostatics) are used to destroy diseased cells or inhibit their growth.
Nach der Operation musste der Patient eine mehrmonatige Chemotherapie beginnen.
After the operation, the patient had to begin several months of chemotherapy.
The word is made up of 'Chemo-' (from 'chemisch' (chemical)) and 'Therapie' (therapy/treatment). So it literally means a 'chemische Behandlung' (chemical treatment), which makes it easy to understand.
Eine Therapie mit Medikamenten ist eine Form der Chemotherapie.
Treatment with medication is a form of chemotherapy.
In everyday language, especially in conversations between doctors and patients, the long word 'Chemotherapie' (chemotherapy) is very often shortened to 'die Chemo' (chemo).
Morgen hat meine Tante ihre nächste Chemo.
My aunt has her next chemo tomorrow.
Common verbs in connection with chemotherapy are 'eine Chemotherapie bekommen' (to receive chemotherapy), 'eine Chemotherapie machen' (to have/do chemotherapy), or, in formal language, 'sich einer Chemotherapie unterziehen' (to undergo chemotherapy).
Viele Patienten bekommen während der Chemotherapie Unterstützung von Psychologen.
Many patients receive support from psychologists during chemotherapy.
Although chemotherapy can be used for various diseases, in general usage the term is almost always associated with the treatment of cancer ('Krebsbehandlung' (cancer treatment)).
Die Forschung arbeitet an neuen Formen der Chemotherapie gegen Krebs.
Research is working on new forms of chemotherapy against cancer.
radiation / irradiation
'Chemotherapie' and 'Bestrahlung' are both medical treatments that can occur especially in cancer care. However, they work differently. In chemotherapy, medications or chemical substances are used to fight diseased cells. In radiation therapy, radiation is directed specifically at diseased tissue. The words can be confused because both are mentioned in similar illness situations and are sometimes part of the same treatment. If it is about medication, 'Chemotherapie' is the right word. If it is about radiation, 'Bestrahlung' is correct.
Nach der Operation beginnt die Patientin mit der Chemotherapie.
After the operation, the patient begins chemotherapy.
Zur Behandlung bekommt der Patient jeden Morgen eine kurze Bestrahlung.
As part of the treatment, the patient receives a short radiation session every morning.