By Miranda Miller
Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy are some of the most effective cancer treatments. They both have the same purpose - to remove cancer cells - but the two treatments target the cells in different ways. Both can be transformative for patients, but their differences are important to take into account when deciding between treatment options.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses chemicals to target and kill fast-growing cells. Cancer develops because of its rapid duplication that results in tumors. By identifying fast growing cells, chemotherapy can remove a good portion of cancer cells. However, healthy cells like those in hair and fingernails, which is why many cancer patients go bald. This medicine is effective for many types of cancer, ranging from breast to lymphoma to ovarian, and can be used in any stage of cancer. Most oncologists pair chemotherapy with another cancer treatment, usually radiation or surgery. Additionally, oncologists may use chemotherapy to relieve the symptoms of cancer to improve quality of life rather than to remove the cancer, called palliative chemo. While chemotherapy is effective in many cases, the side effects can be distressing, with usual symptoms being extreme nausea, fatigue, hair loss, and bodily pain. In general, chemotherapy is one of the most stanard and popular cancer treatments, and may be helpful for distinct types of cancer, no matter the stage.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy differs from chemotherapy in that instead of targeting cancer cells, the treatment aims to boost the immune system enough for it to fight against the cancer cells. Oncologists may use immunotherapy when more common types of treatments haven’t been successful. Despite being a recent treatment, immunotherapy has seen success in many types of cancer. Specifically, researchers have found that skin and renal cell cancer respond better to immunotherapy compared to chemotherapy or radiation treatments. Additionally, the side effects of immunotherapy can be slightly less severe than chemotherapy, but patients still report nausea, fatigue, and discomfort. While it won’t work for all patients, immunotherapy may be a viable option for distinct types and stages of cancer, especially with the combination of other cancer treatments.
Both chemotherapy and immunotherapy can be viable, effective treatments for cancer patients. However, the differences in the process and side effects of the treatments are important to take into account, along with the success of treatments on individual cancer types and stages. All cancer patient’s situations are distinct, and it is ultimately up to the patient and their oncologist to create a treatment plan that aligns with their cancer type, prognosis, and personal factors, but understanding the implications of each treatment is still helpful.
Sources:
What is Immunotherapy?: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/tre Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board