Even today, people get scared when they hear the name of cancer. There is worry from the treatment of this disease till its recovery. In the last few years, immunotherapy is also being used in the treatment of cancer. Very good results have also emerged from this. In this, the body’s immune system is prepared to fight cancer cells. In this, the immune system recognizes cancer cells and destroys them, but is this therapy for every cancer patient?
First let us know what immunotherapy is. This therapy is a way to fight cancer with the help of the body’s immune system. The immune system works to protect us, but cancer cells often trick this system and escape and then slowly start spreading. This is where immunotherapy comes into play.
How does immunotherapy work?
Medical Oncology (MD) Dr. Arvind Kumar from AIIMS New Delhi Explains that immunotherapy trains the body’s immune cells so that they can recognize cancer cells and destroy them. Earlier, chemotherapy and radiation were the main methods of cancer treatment. These methods are still important today, but they also have many side effects that can cause great difficulty for patients.
How is immunotherapy different from chemotherapy?
Normal chemotherapy attacks not only cancer cells but also good cells, which leads to many side effects. Like hair fall and fatigue may occur. Whereas immunotherapy only attacks cancer cells and has no serious side effects.
In cases like lung cancer, kidney cancer and melanoma, where earlier treatment seemed difficult, immunotherapy is proving to be very beneficial.
Is immunotherapy right for everyone?
Dr. Arvind explains that this treatment is not equally effective for every cancer patient. In some patients the results are extremely positive, while in others the effects may be limited. Therefore, doctors take appropriate decisions based on the patient’s condition, type and stage of cancer. Immunotherapy is not just a treatment, but it also points to future possibilities. Research is going on continuously, and scientists are developing new medicines and technologies, but it does not work on every cancer patient and every patient recovers from it.