How Immunotherapy for Lung Cancer Works

Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that helps your immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. It's a relatively new treatment option, but it's shown promise in treating several types of cancer, including lung cancer.

There are two main types of immunotherapy:

* Immune checkpoint inhibitors: These drugs block proteins on cancer cells that help them evade the immune system. This allows the immune system to recognize and attack the cancer cells.

* Adoptive cell therapy: This type of immunotherapy involves taking immune cells from your body, modifying them so that they can better recognize and attack cancer cells, and then putting them back into your body.

Immunotherapy can be used to treat various types of lung cancer, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). It's often used in combination with other treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Immunotherapy can have several side effects, including:

* Fatigue

* Rash

* Diarrhea

* Nausea

* Vomiting

* Fever

* Chills

* Shortness of breath

* Cough

* Muscle pain

* Joint pain

These side effects are usually mild and go away after a few weeks. However, some people may experience more severe side effects, such as:

* Liver damage

* Kidney damage

* Heart problems

* Lung problems

* Death

It's important to talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of immunotherapy before starting treatment.

Immunotherapy is a promising new treatment option for lung cancer. It can help your immune system recognize and attack cancer cells, leading to remission or even a cure. If you're interested in immunotherapy, talk to your doctor to see if it's right for you.