Question

Therapy vs. a cure (TB example). Which of the following accurately distinguishes between therapy and a cure?

A) Therapy alleviates symptoms, while a cure eliminates the underlying cause of the disease.
B) Therapy and a cure are synonymous terms in medical practice.
C) A cure focuses on long-term prevention, while therapy provides immediate relief.
D) Therapy involves surgery, while a cure relies on pharmaceutical interventions.

Answer 1

Therapy alleviates symptoms of a disease without necessarily eliminating the cause, while a cure eradicates the disease entirely. For diseases like TB, completing the full course of antibiotics is essential for a cure, while in cancer treatment, various methods can lead to cure or serve as therapy.

Step-by-step explanation:

The distinction between therapy and a cure is best described by option (A), which states that therapy alleviates symptoms, while a cure eliminates the underlying cause of the disease. This can be observed in the treatment of diseases like tuberculosis (TB), where antibiotics act as therapy by quickly relieving symptoms, but taking them for the entire prescribed duration is necessary to cure the disease and prevent it from recurring. Discontinuing antibiotic treatment early can lead to a higher incidence of recurrent TB because the infection has not been fully eradicated.

In the case of cancer treatment, there are various methods like surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy. Some of these treatments, especially if applied early, can lead to a cure or remission, while others may serve as therapy, managing symptoms and improving quality of life. Palliative treatments serve as therapy without aiming for a cure but rather focusing on relieving pain and discomfort associated with serious illnesses.