When people hear the word cancer, the first feeling is often fear. Cancer has become common in today’s world. Almost every family knows someone who has it. But the good news is that treatment for cancer is improving with time. Doctors now have new methods that bring more hope. One of these new methods is called immunotherapy. It is not like the older treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation. In those treatments, strong medicines or machines attack the tumor directly. In immunotherapy, the body’s own guard system is used to fight cancer. Dr Vikesh Shah says this is a big step forward because it uses the natural strength of the body in a smart way.
What is Immunotherapy
Our body already has a guard inside it. This guard is called the immune system. It is made of special cells, proteins and tissues. They all work together to protect us from sickness and infections. When germs like bacteria or viruses enter the body, the immune system attacks them and keeps us safe.
Cancer is not the same as germs. It does not come from outside. It begins from our own cells when they start growing in the wrong way. Because cancer cells look like normal cells, the immune system often cannot see them as enemies. That is why cancer is able to hide and grow inside the body. Immunotherapy is a treatment that teaches the immune system that cancer cells are dangerous. Once the immune system learns this, it can attack cancer the same way it attacks infections.
How Immunotherapy Works
Immunotherapy helps the body in many ways. Some medicines make the immune system stronger. Some medicines help the immune system find the cancer cells that are hiding. Some medicines make it hard for cancer to escape. But the main goal is always the same. The goal is to help the body fight and kill cancer.
One common type of immunotherapy is called checkpoint inhibitors. Our immune cells have small brakes inside them. These brakes stop the cells from harming healthy body parts. Cancer uses these brakes to protect itself. Checkpoint inhibitor medicines remove the brakes so that immune cells can attack cancer freely. Another type is called monoclonal antibodies. These are special proteins made in a lab. They stick to cancer cells and mark them. Once marked, the immune system can see the cancer cells clearly and destroy them.
There are also cancer vaccines. These vaccines train the immune system to remember cancer and fight it if it comes back again. In some cases, doctors take a patient’s immune cells out of the body, make them stronger in the lab and then put them back to fight the cancer.
Why Immunotherapy is Different from Other Treatments
For many years, chemotherapy and radiation were the main treatments for cancer. They do work, but they also harm healthy cells. This is why patients often lose hair, feel very weak or face many other side effects. Immunotherapy is different. It tries to attack only the cancer cells and not the whole body. Because it uses the body’s own guard system, the side effects are often less compared to chemotherapy.
Another special thing about immunotherapy is that it can keep working even after the treatment ends. Once the immune system learns how to fight cancer, it can remember this for a long time. This memory can protect the patient in the future also.
Types of Cancers Treated with Immunotherapy
Many people ask if immunotherapy can treat every cancer. The answer is no, not yet. But it is already helping many patients. Doctors are using it for lung cancer, skin cancer like melanoma, kidney cancer, bladder cancer, head and neck cancers and some blood cancers like lymphoma and leukemia. Research is still going on. In the future, more types of cancer may be treated with immunotherapy. This gives a lot of hope to patients and families.
Who Can Get Immunotherapy
Not every patient can get this treatment. It depends on the type of cancer, the stage of the cancer and the health of the patient. Doctors study the reports carefully before deciding. Sometimes special tests are done on the tumor to check if immunotherapy will work. This is why it is very important to meet a cancer doctor who understands immunotherapy. The doctor will explain if it is the right choice or if another treatment is better. Patients should never decide on their own.
Benefits of Immunotherapy
The biggest benefit of immunotherapy is that it uses the natural strength of the body. This makes it a more natural way to fight cancer. Some patients who did not respond to chemotherapy have shown good results with immunotherapy. Another big benefit is the long lasting effect. Once the immune system is trained, it can keep working for many years. Some patients remain cancer free even after a long time. This gives hope for better survival and better quality of life.
Side Effects of Immunotherapy
Even though immunotherapy is safer in many ways, it can still have side effects. This happens because when the immune system becomes very active, it may also attack healthy parts of the body by mistake.
Patients may feel tired, have fever, skin rashes, diarrhea, cough or pain in the joints. In some cases, organs like the liver or lungs may get swollen. This is why doctors keep a close watch during treatment. If side effects happen, doctors know how to control them with medicines. Every treatment has some risks. But for the right patients, the benefits of immunotherapy can be greater.
Life During Immunotherapy
Many people want to know what life is like during this treatment. Immunotherapy is usually given as an injection into the vein. The sessions may happen every few weeks. Patients spend a few hours in the hospital and then go home.
Most patients can continue many normal activities during treatment. Some go to work, spend time with family and live a regular life. It is still important to take rest and care. Eating healthy food, drinking enough water and staying positive all help during treatment.
Immunotherapy in India
Earlier, immunotherapy was mostly given in foreign countries. But now it is also available in India. Many cancer hospitals here are giving this treatment to patients. This has made a big change. Patients do not always need to travel abroad anymore. For example, people searching for immunotherapy treatment in Ahmedabad can now find good doctors and hospitals in their own city. This makes it easier for patients and families to stay close to home and still get advanced care.
Why People Ask About Immunotherapy
When families hear about cancer, they search for treatments that bring more hope. They ask many questions. Can immunotherapy cure cancer. Is it safe. Is it better than chemotherapy. How much does it cost. The truth is that immunotherapy does not cure every patient. But for many, it has given longer life and fewer side effects. It can be more costly than some other treatments, but the results are often worth it. Patients should always talk to their doctor to get the right advice.
Future of Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is still growing. Scientists are working every day to make it better. They are testing new medicines, new combinations and new ways to train the immune system. In the future, it may be used for more types of cancer and may work even better than today. Many doctors believe immunotherapy is the future of cancer treatment. It has already changed lives and will continue to give more hope to patients and families.
Conclusion
Immunotherapy is a modern treatment that uses the power of the immune system to fight cancer. It trains the body to see and attack cancer cells, which was not possible before. It has already helped many people live longer and healthier lives.Dr Vikesh Shah believes that as research grows, more patients will benefit from this treatment. People looking for immunotherapy treatment in Ahmedabad can now find advanced care close to home. If you or someone you love is fighting cancer, do not wait. Contact us today to learn more about immunotherapy and take the first step toward hope and healing.