Topic overview

Start with the big picture

Tumors grow in a Gompertzian pattern: growth is initially rapid and slows as the tumor enlarges. Chemotherapy follows the cell-kill hypothesis, reducing a constant fraction of tumor cells with each dose, so repeated treatment may be needed. Drug activity can depend on the cell-cycle phase, while the growth fraction helps explain why some cancers respond differently from others. The lesson also introduces combination regimens, treatment scheduling, and phases such as induction, consolidation, and maintenance. Adjuvant and neoadjuvant approaches address disease at different points around surgery or radiation. Resistance mechanisms, common toxicities, delayed effects, and rescue agents round out the principles of clinical application.