What is the role of palliative chemotherapy?

Palliative chemotherapy plays a significant role in the management of cancer, particularly for patients with advanced disease or those who are not candidates for curative treatments. The primary aim of palliative chemotherapy is to relieve symptoms associated with cancer and to enhance the patient's quality of life.

This approach focuses on managing painful or debilitating symptoms caused by the cancer itself or its treatment, allowing patients to remain as comfortable and functional as possible during their illness. Unlike curative chemotherapy, which seeks to eliminate the cancer, palliative chemotherapy is about symptom management and supporting the patient's overall well-being.

In the context of the other options, while some treatments might aim to reduce tumor size or prevent recurrence in specific situations, they do not align with the fundamental purpose of palliative chemotherapy, which is centered on alleviating distress and improving life quality rather than curing the disease or achieving a specific oncological outcome.