What is the goal of consolidation therapy?

Consolidation therapy is a critical phase in cancer treatment designed to eliminate any remaining cancer cells after initial therapy, with the aim of preventing relapse. This approach is typically employed after a patient has achieved an initial remission from their disease. The idea is to intensify treatment to strengthen the chances of long-term remission and improve overall survival rates.

In this context, consolidation therapy often follows induction therapy, which is the initial phase aimed at achieving remission. By intensifying treatment during the consolidation phase, healthcare providers can target residual disease more effectively.

While maintaining remission is important, consolidation therapy primarily focuses on enhancing the overall treatment outcome by decreasing the likelihood of cancer recurrence. The other choices, such as inducing initial remission or focusing on reducing side effects, do not align with the primary goal of consolidation therapy, which is to further solidify the gains achieved during induction therapy.