Chemotherapy vs Immunotherapy: Which Cancer Treatment is Right for You?
The evolution of Cancer treatment over the years has taken an impressive transformation! Patients now have the privilege to opt for various treatment approaches to combat cancer, with chemotherapy and immunotherapy being two prominent options! Both treatments come with distinct approaches and benefits. So, it is crucial to understand the primary differences between both procedures to determine patient suitability. It will help the patients make informed and precise decisions about their health and wellness. This blog will be a comparative study of both chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits, eligibility, and differences between both procedures!
No matter the procedure you opt for, it is essential to choose the best healthcare provider to avail of the supreme medical facilities and services. So, you can visit Oncare Cancer Hospital, the most trusted cancer hospital in India! Integrated with the latest infrastructure and top-notch medical services, here you can undoubtedly expect to get the most reliable and efficient chemotherapy and immunotherapy for combating cancer!
Table Of Content :
Chemotherapy: Overview
Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment in which strong chemical agents or drugs are utilized to kill rapidly dividing cancer cells. It's often used to:
Treat Rapidly Dividing Cancers
Chemotherapy is ideal for treating rapidly dividing cancers like blood cancer. Oncare Cancer Hospital provides the best Chemotherapy for coping with blood cancer and similar complicated issues.
Shrink Tumors Before Surgery
Shrinking tumors before surgery can greatly boost the chances of treatment outcomes. Also, it reduces further complications. Chemotherapy can be very useful in shrinking large tumors and relieving symptoms before surgery in advanced stages of cancer.
Immunotherapy: Overview
This is an advanced cancer treatment that utilizes the power of the body's immunity system to target and attack cancer cells. It greatly enhances the body's immune system. Immunotherapy is used to:
Treat Cancers With High Mutational Burden
Cancers like melanoma, lung cancer, etc., have high mutational burden and thus can be efficiently treated and managed with immunotherapy. The oncologists, surgeons, and cancer specialists at Oncare Cancer Hospital can perform the most trustworthy and reliable immunotherapy treatments for combating cancer.
Enhance Immune Response in Advanced Cancer
Cancer recurrence is quite a common issue. Therefore, it is essential to strengthen the body's immunity system for quick response towards new cancer producing cells. This treatment works efficiently to improve the immunity system of the body and provides sustainable or long-term cancer control.
Eligibility for Each Treatment
Following is a detailed insight regarding the eligibility for each treatment:
Chemotherapy
Patients with the following criteria are ideal candidates for chemotherapy:
Patients with Rapidly Dividing Cancers
Patients suffering from rapidly dividing cancers like blood cancer like leukemia and lymphoma are best suited for Chemotherapy.
Patients with Limited Organ Function
Patients with limited organ functioning, like kidney or liver impairment, can get the ultimate benefits from chemotherapy. You can consult the best cancer doctors at Oncare Cancer Hospital and get the best guidance on getting chemotherapy. Our medical professionals can cater to the most efficient and personalized chemotherapies aligning with your requirements.
Patients Requiring Quick Symptom Relief
Patients in need of immediate pain relief or palliative care can benefit the best from this treatment approach.
Immunotherapy
Patients with the following criteria are ideal for Immunotherapy:
Patients with High Mutational Burden Cancers
Patients dealing with high mutational burden cancers like melanoma, lung cancer, etc are ideal candidates for immunotherapy. If you are suffering from such health complications, visit our cancer specialists at Oncare Cancer Hospital right away! We can help to curate the appropriate treatment plans and safety charts for enhanced living.
Patients with Strong Immune Systems
Patients with strong immunity system are good candidates for this cancer treatment. It enables the efficient leveraging of the body's immune system for fighting cancer cells.
Patients Seeking Long-term Cancer Control
Immunotherapy can help with early cancer detection and prevention. Therefore, patients seeking sustainable cancer solutions can resort to Immunotherapy.
Differences Between Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy
Here's a precise comparative study between chemotherapy and Immunotherapy:
Mechanism Of Action
Chemotherapy: It involves the direct killing of cancer cells through chemicals and drugs.
Immunotherapy: It involves stimulating the immune system to eliminate cancer cells.
Cancer Types
Chemotherapy: This treatment is effective for rapidly dividing cancers like leukemia, lymphoma, breast cancer, etc.
Immunotherapy: This treatment is effective for cancers with high mutational burdens like kidney cancer, lung cancer, melanoma, etc.
Target Specificity
Chemotherapy: This treatment is less specific and may even target harmless and healthy blood cells.
Immunotherapy: This is a target-specific treatment and only targets cancer cells in the body without harming the healthy cells.
Response Prediction
Chemotherapy: It is much easier to predict the response of Chemotherapy after a procedure.
Immunotherapy: Predicting the potential outcomes after immunotherapy is quite challenging and complex.
Treatment Duration
Chemotherapy: The treatment duration of chemotherapy is shorter, like 3 to 6 months.
Immunotherapy: The duration of immunotherapy treatment is much longer. It may extend up to 6 to 12 months or more.
Synergistic Effects
Chemotherapy: Combining this treatment with other combination therapies can boost the cytotoxic effects.
Immunotherapy: Combining this cancer treatment with other options can boost the body's immune response.
Primary Agents
Chemotherapy: The primary agents of chemotherapy are Alkylating Agents, Antimetabolites, and Antitumor Antibiotics.
Immunotherapy: The primary agents of Immunotherapy are Checkpoint inhibitors (PD-1, CTLA-4), CAR-T cell therapy, and Cancer vaccines.
Side Effects
Chemotherapy: The common side effects of chemotherapy include loss of hair, weakness, fatigue, etc., which can, however, be managed with appropriate medical care.
Immunotherapy: The side effects one can experience after immunotherapy are rash, diarrhea, fatigue, etc. However, Oncare Cancer Hospital can efficiently aid you in managing such symptoms.
Final Words
Both Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy are advanced cancer treatment approaches and have acquired considerable popularity due to their unique benefits. However, depending on the type, stage, and severity of cancer, the treatment choices can be influenced. So, a detailed consultation session with your healthcare team is essential to choose the appropriate treatment plans. Choose Oncare Cancer Hospital, the most trustworthy cancer hospital in India, and discuss your treatment options with the best oncologists to determine the best course of treatment!