American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

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What is the objective of conversion chemotherapy?

To kill the cancer cells rapidly
To facilitate surgical resection by shrinking visible metastatic disease
To treat pain effectively
To enhance immune response against cancer

The correct answer is: To facilitate surgical resection by shrinking visible metastatic disease

The objective of conversion chemotherapy is primarily to facilitate surgical resection by shrinking visible metastatic disease. This approach is particularly relevant in cases where a patient has advanced cancer that initially appears unresectable due to the presence of metastatic tumors. By administering chemotherapy, healthcare professionals aim to reduce the size or extent of these tumors, making it possible for surgeons to safely and effectively remove them. This strategy is important because tumors that are initially considered too large or numerous for surgery can sometimes become operable following conversion chemotherapy. The reduction in tumor burden can help improve surgical outcomes and overall prognosis for patients affected by certain types of cancer. While killing cancer cells rapidly might be a goal of chemotherapy in general, the specific aim of conversion therapy is more focused on altering the tumor’s operability rather than immediate cytotoxicity. Treating pain effectively and enhancing immune response are also important aspects of cancer management, but they do not directly relate to the primary objective of conversion chemotherapy in preparing patients for surgical intervention.