What does chemotherapy refer to in medical treatment?

Chemotherapy refers specifically to treatment involving chemical agents, typically to combat cancer. This form of treatment utilizes drugs that can kill cancer cells, inhibit their growth, or prevent them from dividing and spreading. Chemotherapy is often systemic, meaning it affects the entire body rather than targeting a specific tumor, which distinguishes it from localized treatments.

The choice that refers to radiation therapy involves using high doses of radiation to kill or damage cancer cells, but it is fundamentally different from the chemical approach of chemotherapy. Surgical intervention involves physically removing tumors or cancerous tissues, which does not fit the chemical treatment classification. Physical therapy focuses on rehabilitation and improving physical function and mobility, which is unrelated to the chemical treatment of cancer. Therefore, the option regarding treatment with chemical agents is the only one that accurately describes chemotherapy.