Which term best describes delivering chemotherapy drugs directly to a body region rather than systemically?

Which term best describes delivering chemotherapy drugs directly to a body region rather than systemically?

• A. Systemic chemotherapy
• B. Regional chemotherapy
• C. Oral chemotherapy
• D. Intravenous therapy

Answer: (B)

Delivering chemotherapy drugs directly to a specific body region, rather than circulating throughout the whole body, is regional chemotherapy. This approach targets a tumor area with high local drug concentration while limiting systemic exposure, which can help reduce widespread side effects. Regional methods include delivery directly into an artery that feeds the region or into a body cavity surrounding the tumor, such as hepatic arterial infusion for liver tumors or intraperitoneal chemotherapy for abdominal malignancies. The other terms describe how the drug is given rather than where it concentrates. Systemic chemotherapy refers to drugs that travel through the bloodstream to affect the body broadly. Oral and intravenous therapy specify routes of administration, but they don’t inherently denote regional targeting or localized delivery.

Delivering chemotherapy drugs directly to a specific body region, rather than circulating throughout the whole body, is regional chemotherapy. This approach targets a tumor area with high local drug concentration while limiting systemic exposure, which can help reduce widespread side effects. Regional methods include delivery directly into an artery that feeds the region or into a body cavity surrounding the tumor, such as hepatic arterial infusion for liver tumors or intraperitoneal chemotherapy for abdominal malignancies.

The other terms describe how the drug is given rather than where it concentrates. Systemic chemotherapy refers to drugs that travel through the bloodstream to affect the body broadly. Oral and intravenous therapy specify routes of administration, but they don’t inherently denote regional targeting or localized delivery.