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What is Immunotherapy?

Cancerous cells emerge in the body all the time. They aren’t usually harmful because the body’s immune system clears them away before they have an opportunity to cause disease. However, this cancer-clearing system can sometimes malfunction, and tumors grow unchecked. 

Immunotherapy is a set of treatments that attempt to cajole the immune system into fighting cancer cells more effectively. Since scientists first developed it, it has become a popular treatment choice, due to its non-invasiveness compared to standard therapies. 

About Cancer Immunotherapy

Cancer immunotherapy is a type of treatment that boosts the immune system and equips it to fight tumors at all stages of its lifecycle. It works by tapping into protective factors already present in the body and gets them to work harder. It also adds to the body’s defenses, bolstering numbers, making it easier to seek out and eliminate cancerous cells.

At root, immunotherapy seeks to enhance the body’s ability to detect and destroy cancer cells. For this reason, there are many potential elements a course of treatment could include. 

For instance, immunotherapy could change cytokine (chemical messenger) response to tumors, helping the immune system tag them for destruction. It could also increase the production of T-cells, or provide monoclonal antibodies that make it easier for your body to see cancer cells. 

What Can Immunotherapy Treat?

Cancer immunotherapy can treat a wide range of cancers. It works against: 

  • Neck and head cancers
  • Kidney (renal) cancers
  • Liver (hepatic) cancers
  • Lymphoma (cancer of the body’s lymphatic system)
  • Prostate cancer
  • Stomach cancer
  • Throat cancer
  • Melanoma (skin cancer)
  • Ovarian cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Cervical cancer
  • Colorectal cancer
  • Bladder cancer
  • Brain cancer

Additionally, immunotherapy enhances the body’s ability to fight off other threats, including bacterial infections. 

Cochise Oncology remains at the forefront of the latest immunotherapy technologies, implementing new treatments once they become available. 

Immunotherapy Side Effects

Immunotherapy, like other cancer treatments, comes with side effects. However, these tend to be relatively mild and short-lived. 

Typically, side effects occur as a result of the immune system becoming more active, similar to having a fever when fighting the flu. 

Patients can sometimes feel physically weak, have shortness of breath, or confusion. Other common side effects include headaches, diarrhea, chest pains, muscle spasms, loss of appetite, and skin rashes. Whether you experience these side effects depends on your biochemistry, immune response, and genetics. 

Should You Consider Immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy is one of the most exciting new developments in oncology. It offers a suite of tools that get the body to fight cancer itself, potentially eliminating the need for other forms of treatment, such as radiation and chemotherapy. 

If you have been diagnosed with cancer, you might want to consider exploring your immunotherapy options with Cochise Oncology. We show you which treatments are available and how they could benefit you, if successful. 

Whether immunotherapy is suitable for you will depend on the type of cancer you have and your treatment preferences. 

Take the Next Step

Are you ready to learn more about immunotherapy? Reach out to Cochise Oncology at (520) 803-6644 or fill out the consultation form on this page. We look forward to meeting you!

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