Immunotherapy is one of many potential treatments for cancer. It is often confused with chemotherapy, but it is actually quite different in the way that it works. It is a much newer type of therapy than chemo and has proven to be successful with many different types of tumors. Many different types of immunotherapy are already being used to treat cancer, and there are many more still in trials as well. Here’s what you need to know about this influential form of cancer treatment.
How does immunotherapy work?
There are many different types of immunotherapy drugs on the market, and many of them are very complex. In short, immunotherapy treatments boost your immune system, making it easier to fight off the cancer. They release modified antibodies into your system, which bind to cancer cells. These antibodies essentially tell your immune system to attack the tumor, making it much easier for your body to fight it on its own.
What are the advantages of immunotherapy?
There are many advantages of immunotherapy that have made it a popular treatment for many different types of cancer. The biggest advantage is that it often works in situations where other cancer treatments don’t. In particular, immunotherapy is very effective against skin cancer. However, it can also treat kidney cancer, bladder cancer, some types of lymphoma, and many other cancers. Every cancer case is different, and your oncologist will determine if immunotherapy will be effective for your specific case.
Immunotherapy can also make other cancer treatments much more effective. It is often used in combination with other therapies, particularly because there aren’t many side effects that will cause reactions with other drugs. When your immune system is strong, it will be much more receptive to treatment. Immunotherapy also reduces the chances of your cancer coming back if it does work. This is because it teaches the immune system to recognize cancerous cells and fight them.
What are the disadvantages of immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy doesn’t have as many side effects as other types of cancer treatment, which is one of the reasons why it has become so widespread. However, there are still some potential disadvantages and side effects to be aware of. Immunotherapy can trigger a response from your immune system that makes you feel like you have flu. This happens because the immune system starts attacking your body’s healthy cells. You may experience fever and chills. You also may experience some swelling, diarrhea, and other mild to moderate symptoms of illness. However, these symptoms usually subside with time as your body gets used to the immunotherapy. One other potential downside is that immunotherapies often cause swelling and discomfort at the injection site. In some cases, it feels like an itchy rash or a bug bite. If your body negatively reacts to the therapy in this way, you can talk to your oncologist to find a solution that your body will better react to.
What should I expect from immunotherapy treatment?
If you are getting immunotherapy for the first time, you may be a little apprehensive about the procedure and what to expect. It’s key that you talk to your doctor about what to expect beforehand since everyone’s cancer and treatment is different. There are a few different ways immunotherapy is administered. It’s often administered intravenously, but it can also be given via a cut under the skin or even directly into the muscle. It’s hard to predict exactly how you will respond to the side effects, but make sure you and your doctor have a plan in place to treat them should they become serious. Treating your side effects will put you on the road to recovery much faster.
Immunotherapy treatment holds an immense amount of promise for those struggling with cancer. Not only does it help the body fight off cancerous cells now, but it has the potential to help them fight off cells in remission later on. Although there are side effects, they are often not as serious as the side effects of chemotherapy or other cancer treatments. With so many current clinical trials focusing on immunotherapy, we can expect to see an increase in treatment options and availability over the next few decades.