MCQ Detailed View

Cancer is a disease characterized by the uncontrolled growth and division of abnormal cells in the body. Treating cancer requires methods that target and destroy these abnormal cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissues. Among the main treatment options, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the most widely used and effective methods.

Chemotherapy involves the use of powerful drugs that travel through the bloodstream to target rapidly dividing cancer cells. These drugs can reach cancer cells throughout the body, making chemotherapy effective for systemic treatment, especially when cancer has spread beyond its original site. Chemotherapy works by interfering with cell division, ultimately leading to the death of cancer cells.

Radiotherapy, also known as radiation therapy, uses high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells in a specific area of the body. It works by damaging the DNA of cancer cells, which prevents them from dividing and growing. Radiotherapy is often used in combination with surgery or chemotherapy to shrink tumors or prevent recurrence after surgical removal.

Other options listed, such as antibiotics or vaccines, are not standard methods for treating cancer. Antibiotics target bacterial infections, while vaccines are primarily used for disease prevention rather than treating existing tumors.

Understanding chemotherapy and radiotherapy is essential for learning how modern medicine manages cancer. These methods illustrate the principles of targeted treatment, cell biology, and medical intervention, which are crucial concepts in human biology and oncology. They help students grasp the ways science can control and combat complex diseases like cancer effectively.