Which treatment option involves the use of drugs after primary cancer treatment?

Adjuvant therapy refers to the treatment given after the primary treatment, typically surgery, to eliminate any remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence. The primary aim of adjuvant therapy is to improve overall survival rates by targeting microscopic disease that may not be detectable at the time of surgery. This could include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or hormone therapy, depending on the type of cancer and the individual patient's situation.

Neoadjuvant therapy, in contrast, is administered before the primary treatment. It is intended to shrink tumors to make surgical removal easier or more effective. Palliative care focuses on alleviating symptoms and improving the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses rather than directly targeting cancer. Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that harnesses the body's immune system to fight cancer, and it can be used at various stages, including both upfront and after primary treatment; however, it does not specifically refer to treatment given after the main treatment. Thus, adjuvant therapy is the term that specifically describes the approach of using drugs after primary cancer treatment to help improve outcomes.