Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy Cancer Treatment in Hyderabad

Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that helps your immune system fight cancer. Research to treat cancer effectively has been going on for decades. Different modes of treatment are now being developed for cancer successfully. One such method is immunotherapy. It is an innovative technique wherein the patient’s own immune system is used to fight the cancer cells of the body. The therapy works by boosting or changing the way the immune system works to help it find cancer cells and attack them.

Although immunotherapy is not the most common method of treating cancer, it is used for some specific types of cancers. Generally, treatments like chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy are more common procedures to treat cancer.

How does immunotherapy work against cancer?

The immune system plays a crucial role in identifying and eliminating abnormal cells, which can help prevent or limit the development of many types of cancer. In some cases, immune cells known as tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) can be found in and around tumors, indicating that the immune system is actively responding to the cancer. Patients with TILs in their tumors often have more favorable outcomes compared to those without them.
However, cancer cells have evolved mechanisms to evade the immune system. They may possess genetic alterations that make them less detectable by the immune system, display surface proteins that inhibit immune cell activity, or manipulate nearby normal cells to interfere with the immune response.

Immunotherapy is a medical approach designed to enhance the immune system's effectiveness against cancer, ultimately aiding in the fight against cancer by countering these evasion tactics.

Benefits of Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is considered one of the most effective treatments for fighting cancer. Some of its key advantages include: 

• It is generally safer than other treatments and has fewer side effects.
• Immunotherapy specifically targets the immune system, not the entire body.
• It enhances the effectiveness of other cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation.
• While chemotherapy and radiation may not work for some cancers like skin cancer, immunotherapy can be effective.
• Immunotherapy reduces the likelihood of cancer recurrence.

Types of Cancers that immunotherapy can treat

Immunotherapy has been shown to be effective in treating many types of cancers. Many doctors are now using immunotherapy more often as part of their usual cancer treatment procedure. Some common cancers that can be effectively treated with immunotherapy are Bladder cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, kidney cancer, Colorectal cancer, Esophageal cancer, Leukemia, Liver cancer, lung cancer, lymphoma, melanoma, sarcoma, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, etc. 

Currently, many clinical trials are being conducted to find out the effectiveness of immunotherapy in other types of cancers as well.   

Risk Factors of Immunotherapy

Similar to any treatment, immunotherapy can affect different people differently. Some people may not have any side effects while some may exhibit the following side effects after the therapy:

• Reaction on the needle site like pain, swelling, redness, itching, soreness and rash.

• Flu-like symptoms include fever, chills, nausea, dizziness, body ache, weakness, dizziness, fatigue, headaches, breathing issues, high or low blood pressure etc.

• Increased weight and/or swelling  due to fluid retention

• Heart palpitations

• Infection

• Organ inflammation

• Diarrhoea

• Sinus congestions

Many side effects can differ depending on the type of immunotherapy a person gets. Also, some people may be at risk for myocarditis due to their age or any other underlying issue. These patients must be carefully monitored post-therapy. 

Types of Immunotherapy For Cancer

Based on the patient’s condition, the doctor may recommend any of the following immunotherapy treatments:

• Adoptive Cell Transfer: In this therapy, immune cells are removed, modified, and then reintroduced into the patient’s body. These altered cells are designed to target and destroy cancer cells.
• CAR T-Cell Therapy: A widely used method where T-cells are engineered with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) to better recognize and attack cancer cells.
• Cancer Vaccines: Vaccines, which are effective against various diseases, are also used in cancer treatment. They trigger an immune response that helps combat cancer.
• Oncolytic Viruses: These are viruses modified or created in a lab to infect and destroy cancer cells specifically.
• Immunomodulators: A group of drugs that boost the immune system's ability to identify and eliminate cancer cells. They are used in treating multiple types of cancer.
• Monoclonal Antibodies: Unlike naturally occurring proteins, monoclonal antibodies are lab-made. They target specific parts of cancer cells, aiding in cancer treatment.

Other Cancer Treatments offered by CARE Hospitals

Although immunotherapy is used to treat certain types of cancers, many other treatments are often considered first in treating a wide range of cancers. CARE hospitals have a dedicated oncology department that offers the following treatments for various cancers:

• Radical Prostatectomy: It is a surgery performed on patients with prostate cancer. In this procedure, the prostate gland and the tissue surrounding it is removed. This is essentially done to stop the spread of cancer any further in the body. Doctors at CARE hospitals carefully monitor such patients and then decide if surgery is the best alternative. They may first try to treat the condition using radiation therapy or hormone therapy as well.

• Lumpectomy: It is a surgery that is used to remove a cancerous lump from the breast instead of a complete mastectomy. If cancer’s edges are well defined, a lumpectomy may be performed to remove the lump and some tissue around it to stop cancer from spreading any further. Lumpectomy patients will usually have to go for 5-7 weeks of radiation therapy to ensure that the cancer is treated fully.

• Skin Cancer Surgery: Basal and squamous cell cancers are usually treated with skin cancer surgery. The surgery is also called Mohs Micrographic Surgery or simply Mohs Surgery. The surgery may be followed by radiation therapy or chemotherapy.

• Breast Reduction Surgery or mammoplasty: It is a cosmetic surgery that is often used for patients who have had a part or complete breast removal surgery due to cancer. This surgery helps them to gain their confidence back and improve their self-image.

• Radiation Therapy: It is the most common treatment for most cancers. As the cancer cells tend to divide and multiply quickly, radiation therapy is used for cells before they spread to other parts of the body. Radiation therapy does have its side effects as it can affect other healthy cells in the boy as well. Therefore the therapy is only performed by expert professionals under strict supervision. Moreover, doctors may also prescribe medications to subside the side effects of the therapy.

• Bladder Cancer Surgery: There are two types of bladder cancer surgeries. They are Transurethral resection and Cystectomy. Transurethral resection is usually performed in the early stage of bladder cancer. In this procedure, the abnormal tissue of the area is removed. However, for a Cystectomy, the entire bladder is removed through an incision in the stomach. This is done as a last resort to curb cancer.

• Lung Cancer Surgery or thoracotomy: This is used to treat non-small cell lung cancer in Stage I or Stage II. a part of an entire lobe of the lung may be removed in this surgery. The surgery may be accompanied by another procedure called cryosurgery.

• Breast Cancer Treatment: CARE hospital has an expert team of doctors who carefully monitor the patient before prescribing the course of treatment. This usually includes partial or complete surgical removal of breast tissue, chemotherapy, radiation, and hormone replacement therapy. 

• PICC Line Repair: This is used to deliver medications in the body like chemotherapy, antibiotics, blood transfusion, liquid fluid, and IV (intravenous) fluids.

• Thyroidectomy: It is used to treat thyroid cancer by partially or completely removing the gland.

Side Effects of Immunotherapy

Like any treatment, immunotherapy can cause side effects. Some of these include:

• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Mouth sores
• Breathing difficulties
• Fever
• Chills
• Diarrhea
• Skin rashes
• Muscle pain
• Swelling
• Weight gain
• Heart palpitations
• Potential damage to organs such as the lungs, kidneys, and heart
• It may not be effective for everyone.

How can CARE hospitals help?

CARE hospitals provide Immunotherapy in Hyderabad and aim to provide treatment and service of international standards to its cancer patients that are not only top-notch but also reasonable. At CARE Hospitals, we have a dedicated Oncology department with world-class facilities and experienced doctors. Immunotherapy in India is a part of our comprehensive cancer treatment with international protocols and the best patient care program. Cancer takes a toll on a patient's physical as well as mental health. Therefore, our Oncology team is specially trained to provide end-to-end care to our patients and ensure that they are well-supported and taken care of at every stage of the treatment. CARE hospital has treated thousands of cancer patients successfully with its comprehensive cancer treatment with international protocols and the best patient care program.