Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising remedy in the fight against cancer, because it has proven to be very effective for treating some cancers that are resistant to conventional treatments. But what exactly is immunotherapy?
What Is Immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy is a cancer treatment that harnesses the power of the body’s immune system to fight cancer. It stimulates the immune system to target and destroy cancer cells, boosts the strength of immune cells, and gives the body the components it needs to provide an effective immune response.
Immunotherapy is beneficial for treating certain types of cancer including lung cancer, melanoma, breast cancer, brain cancer, cervical cancer, and prostate cancer.
How Does Immunotherapy Work?
The immune system consists of a network of tissues, cells, organs, and substances that work together to help the body fight against illness and infection. However, if the initial immune response is not strong enough, the cancer cells will multiply quickly.
Immunotherapy helps the body attack and kill cancer cells by training the immune system to recognize these abnormal cells more easily. It removes barriers that may be preventing the immune system from going after the cancer cells. Immunotherapy therefore helps the immune system work more efficiently.
There are different forms of immunotherapy and they work in different ways. Some treatments help the immune system kill the cancer cells, while others slow the growth of the cancer cells. Immunotherapy can be administered via injections, medications, or CAR T-cell therapy.
Are There Any Side-Effects?
Immunotherapy can cause side-effects such as muscle pain, chest pain, headaches, skin rashes, and loss of appetite.
Would you like to learn more about immunotherapy cancer treatment? Search our directory to find a practice in your area.
If you are in the Sierra Vista, AZ area Cochise Oncology is our featured practice.
You can reach them at www.cochiseoncology.com, or by calling (520) 201-5140.