Which cancer treatment is administered both before a surgical procedure?

Neoadjuvant therapy refers to the treatment given before the main treatment, which is usually surgery. Its primary goal is to shrink tumors before the surgical procedure, making it easier to remove the tumor completely and potentially improving surgical outcomes. It can also help in assessing how well the cancer responds to the treatment, which can inform subsequent therapy decisions.

Adjuvant therapy, in contrast, is administered after surgery to eliminate any remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence. Palliative care focuses on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness rather than directly targeting cancer with the intent to cure or shrink it before surgery. Radiotherapy can be used as either a neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment, but it is not solely defined by its timing in relation to surgery.

By understanding the purpose and timing of neoadjuvant therapy, it becomes clear why this option is the correct choice in this context.