Immunotherapy Side Effects
Adverse consequences
Immunotherapy, also known as biologic therapy, is a standard cancer treatment that enhances the immune system’s ability to combat malignancy. Immunotherapy involves the use of substances produced by the body or manufactured in a laboratory to recognize, strengthen, restore, or enhance the immune system’s function. Immunotherapy may be recommended as the sole cancer treatment for some patients, or it may be used in conjunction with other cancer treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. Nevertheless, certain types of immunotherapy aid in the destruction of cancer cells or slow their rapid spread to other regions of the body. In other instances, immunotherapy facilitates the immune system’s battle against cancer cells.
Immunotherapy is a form of cancer treatment; however, certain types of immunotherapy result in the destruction of healthy cells, which may cause side effects. Different forms of immunotherapy can result in various adverse effects. Several side effects depend on the type of cancer, its location, the individual’s overall health, and the form of treatment. Before beginning immunotherapy, it is essential to discuss the potential side effects in detail with your physician. This is known as supportive or palliative care. A health care team may assist you in treating or averting immunotherapy-related side effects. Palliative or supportive care is a crucial component of all cancer therapies.
In addition, to better manage the adverse effects of immunotherapy, promptly inform your health care team of any worsening or new medical conditions. Even if you believe a symptom is not severe or has nothing to do with immunotherapy, you must inform your medical team of even the slightest discomfort you experience. Even life-threatening, mild, or moderate in nature, immunotherapy’s potential side effects are possible. Depending on the severity of your adverse effects, the doctor may alter your prescription or suspend the treatment. In addition, corticosteroids are commonly prescribed to mask or reduce pain caused by immunotherapy-related adverse effects. However, if the adverse effects do not improve or worsen, the physician may discontinue immunotherapy entirely.
Immunotherapy is associated with the following adverse effects:
Insufficiency of oxygen
Muscle soreness
Symptoms of diarrhea
edema of the thighs
Fluid accumulation
Excessive weight increase
a cough
nasal congestion
