First-line therapy

First-line therapy (pronounced: first-line ther-uh-pee), also known as primary therapy or initial treatment, is a term used in medicine to describe the preferred or recommended treatment for a certain disease or medical condition. This is usually the first course of treatment that a healthcare provider will suggest, based on the best available clinical evidence and guidelines.

Etymology

The term "first-line therapy" originates from the concept of treatment lines in medicine. The "first line" refers to the initial, preferred treatment, while "second-line therapy", "third-line therapy", etc., refer to alternative treatments used if the first-line therapy is not effective or is not tolerated by the patient.

Related Terms

Second-line therapy: The treatment recommended if the first-line therapy is not effective, is not tolerated, or if the disease progresses.
Adjuvant therapy: Additional treatment given after the primary treatment to increase its effectiveness.
Neoadjuvant therapy: Treatment given before the primary treatment to improve its effectiveness.
Palliative therapy: Treatment aimed at relieving symptoms and improving quality of life, rather than curing the disease.

Usage

First-line therapy is used in many areas of medicine, including oncology, infectious diseases, psychiatry, and cardiology. The choice of first-line therapy depends on various factors, such as the type and stage of the disease, the patient's overall health and preferences, and the potential benefits and risks of the treatment.

For example, in the treatment of hypertension, lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise are often recommended as first-line therapy, while medications may be used as second-line therapy if the initial treatment is not effective.

In oncology, the first-line therapy for a certain type of cancer might be surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these, depending on the specific circumstances.

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on First-line therapy
Wikipedia's article - First-line therapy

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First-line therapy