When you or a loved one face a cancer diagnosis, life takes a sudden change of course. We understand this change, and the confusion and fear it can cause. That’s why we’re here. To walk with you and give you the care and information you need to make the best decisions for your personal cancer journey.
One of the first questions you’ll have is what treatment is best for you and your cancer diagnosis. The most popular options include radiation, chemotherapy and surgery. However, there is another innovative cancer treatment that works to stop cancer and its growth: immunotherapy treatment.
Healing From Within
Your body is designed for incredible things. And due to recent advancements in cancer treatment, your immune system can now play a crucial role in helping treat your cancer. Immunotherapy, also called biologic therapy or biotherapy, uses the natural power of your own immune system to keep cancer cells from growing and spreading.
What is Immunotherapy?
According to the AdventHealth Cancer Institute, immunotherapy is an innovative treatment that works to help treat cancer in two primary ways:
- Immunotherapy can stimulate your immune system to target cancer cells, helping it identify and attack cancerous cells.
- Immunotherapy can infuse you with immune system components, such as man- made immune system proteins.
What this means is that immunotherapy can boost your body’s natural healing functions.
How Does Immunotherapy Work?
The following are the four most common types of immunotherapy used for treating certain types of cancer:
- Monoclonal antibodies are man-made versions of immune system proteins. They are designed to attack a very specific part of a cancer cell.
- Immune checkpoint inhibitors are a combination of drugs that can help your immune system recognize and attack cancer cells.
- Cancer vaccines can help jump-start an immune response against certain diseases.
- Other non-specific immunotherapies boost your immune system in a general way.
Cancer Care You Can Count On
If you are interested in learning more about immunotherapy and its benefits and potential side effects, our board-certified providers and nurse navigators are here for you. They will guide you through the process of choosing the best individualized treatment plan for you and your cancer journey.
You are never on your own on your cancer journey. AdventHealth Cancer Services is committed to providing evidence-based, innovative and comprehensive cancer care. Our personalized cancer treatment plans are developed to ensure you are getting better care, better treatment and better outcomes. At AdventHealth, we have cancer care you can count on.
To learn more about AdventHealth Cancer Services, please visit AdventHealthNC.com/cancer or
Call855-774-5433 (LIFE).
