Our immune system protects the body from infections and harmful cells. But cancer cells can sometimes “hide” from the immune system, making it difficult for the body to recognize and destroy them.
Cancer immunotherapy is a treatment that helps the immune system identify cancer cells and fight them more effectively.
It has become an important treatment option for many cancers, but it is not suitable for every patient. Doctors decide whether immunotherapy may help based on the type of cancer, its stage, test results, and the patient’s overall health.
How Does Immunotherapy Work?
Think of the immune system as the body’s natural defence team. Its job is to find and remove cells that should not be there.
Cancer cells are different. Some cancer cells can send signals that tell the immune system not to attack them. This allows the cancer cells to continue growing.
Certain immunotherapy medicines work by blocking these signals. Once the signal is blocked, immune cells may be able to recognize and attack the cancer more effectively.
In simple terms:
Cancer tries to hide → Immunotherapy helps remove the hiding mechanism → The immune system can better recognize and fight the cancer.
Which Cancers Can Be Treated With Immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy may be used for selected patients with different types of cancer, including:
- Lung cancer
- Melanoma (skin cancer)
- Kidney cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Head and neck cancer
- Liver cancer
- Certain colorectal cancers
- Some blood cancers
Immunotherapy may be given alone or together with chemotherapy or other cancer treatments.
However, not every patient with these cancers will benefit from immunotherapy. This is why proper evaluation before starting treatment is important.
How Does the Doctor Decide If Immunotherapy Is Right for You?
Doctors consider several things before recommending immunotherapy.
They look at the type and stage of cancer, previous treatments, overall health, and specific features of the cancer cells.
In some cases, doctors may also recommend biomarker tests such as PD-L1, MSI/dMMR, or TMB. These tests provide additional information about the cancer and may help the oncologist decide whether a particular immunotherapy treatment could be suitable.
Not every patient needs all of these tests. Your oncologist will recommend testing based on your individual condition.
What Are the Possible Benefits of Immunotherapy?
For appropriately selected patients, immunotherapy may help the immune system control or reduce cancer.
One important feature of immunotherapy is that some patients can have a response that continues for a meaningful period of time. However, results vary considerably from one patient to another.
Immunotherapy does not work for everyone, and treatment results cannot be guaranteed.
Does Immunotherapy Have Side Effects?
Yes. Like other cancer treatments, immunotherapy can cause side effects.
Common side effects may include:
- Tiredness
- Skin rash or itching
- Diarrhoea
- Fever
- Joint or muscle discomfort
- Changes in thyroid or other hormone levels
Because immunotherapy makes the immune system more active, it can sometimes cause the immune system to affect healthy parts of the body. This may lead to inflammation in organs such as the lungs, liver, or intestines.
Many side effects can be managed effectively when identified early. Therefore, patients should tell their doctor about any new or unusual symptoms during treatment.
Is Immunotherapy Better Than Chemotherapy?
Immunotherapy and chemotherapy work differently, so one is not always “better” than the other.
Chemotherapy directly attacks rapidly growing cells, including cancer cells.
Immunotherapy helps the body’s immune system recognize and fight cancer.
For some patients, immunotherapy may be used alone. For others, doctors may recommend chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy, or another treatment.
The right choice depends on the individual cancer and the patient’s medical condition.
Why Is Personalised Treatment Important?
Every cancer patient is different. Even two people with the same type of cancer may respond differently to treatment.
This is why doctors increasingly use a personalised or precision oncology approach. They study the patient’s cancer type, stage, pathology reports, biomarkers, molecular test results, previous treatments, and overall health before deciding on treatment.
This helps the oncology team determine whether immunotherapy, targeted therapy, chemotherapy, or another treatment may be appropriate.
Final Thoughts
Cancer immunotherapy works by helping the body’s own immune system recognize and fight cancer cells more effectively.
It has become an important treatment option for selected patients, but it is not suitable for everyone. Proper evaluation and, when needed, biomarker testing can help doctors decide whether immunotherapy should be considered.
If you or a family member has been diagnosed with cancer and wants to understand whether immunotherapy may be an option, speak with an experienced oncologist who can review the complete medical condition and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.
Immunotherapy Cancer Treatment in Delhi NCR
Dr. AV Cancer Institute in Gurugram provides personalised cancer treatment planning, including evaluation for immunotherapy, targeted therapy, molecular testing, and precision oncology.
The oncology team reviews each patient’s diagnosis, stage, medical reports, previous treatment, and relevant biomarkers before recommending a treatment approach.
Medical Disclaimer: This article is for general awareness and education only. It does not replace medical advice from a qualified oncologist. The suitability and outcome of immunotherapy vary from patient to patient.
