Cancer therapy has evolved significantly, and the most groundbreaking shift in cancer therapy is immunotherapy. Although chemotherapy has been the norm of cancer therapy for the past few decades now, numerous patients and doctors alike are opting for immunotherapy in hordes due to its mechanism of targeting, fewer side effects, and lasting efficacy. In this blog, we would like to inform you why immunotherapy is a better option compared to chemotherapy, particularly for those seeking immunotherapy in Ahmedabad.
Learning the Basics: Immunotherapy vs. Chemotherapy
What is chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy is traditional cancer treatment by the administration of powerful drugs intended to kill rapidly developing cancer cells. The drugs are not discriminatory between normal cells and cancer cells, producing some side effects, including:
- Hair loss
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue
- Immune system weakened
- Organs weakened
Although good, chemotherapy is difficult for most individuals because of its intensity, which also weakens the patient’s body.
What is immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy is a new cancer treatment that enhances the body’s natural defenses to combat cancer cells. Instead of attacking cancer itself, immunotherapy strengthens the immune system so that it can more effectively recognize and kill cancer cells.
Some of the most prevalent types of immunotherapy include:
- Checkpoint inhibitors help the immune system recognize cancer cells.
- CAR-T cell therapy uses genetically modified immune cells to kill cancer.
- Cancer vaccines induce an immune response against certain cancer cells.
- Monoclonal antibodies inhibit and kill cancer cell proliferation.
Immunotherapy has been on the rise among cancer patients in Ahmedabad over the last few years because it is personalized and less toxic compared to chemotherapy.
Top Reasons to Opt for Immunotherapy Instead of Chemotherapy
1. Fewer Side Effects and Improved Tolerance
One of the biggest advantages of immunotherapy over chemotherapy is that there are fewer side effects. Chemotherapy drugs kill cancer and normal cells and have horrible side effects like massive fatigue, infection, and organ damage.
Immunotherapy, on the other hand, targets cancer cells specifically without damaging the body’s normal cells and does little damage. Ahmedabad patients who receive immunotherapy have proven to be more tolerant of the treatment and can have a better quality of life.
2. Long-Term Protection and Lasting Effects
Chemotherapy is most often a temporary fix—it kills cancer cells but not their ability to come back. Immunotherapy, on the other hand, teaches the immune system to remember cancer cells and build long-term immunity against recurrence.
For the majority of patients, immunotherapy translates into:
- Longer remission
- Lower risk of cancer recurrence
- Stronger future immune response
No surprise that the majority of oncologists today prescribe immunotherapy in Ahmedabad as the most effective and longest-lasting treatment option for cancer patients.
3. Personalized Treatment Plan
Every cancer is unique, and immunotherapy is similarly very individualized in its treatment process. Immunotherapy is not like chemotherapy in that it cannot be administered with a regular dosage; it must be tailored to the patient’s immune system and type of cancer as well.
Personalized treatment leads to:
- Higher success rates
- Less resistance to treatment
- Less recovery time
Ahmedabad boasts of its cancer treatment facilities that have cutting-edge technology and individualized immunotherapy protocols, which provide better results for patients.
4. Increased Success Rate for Advanced Cancers
Chemotherapy is of little use in curing aggressive or advanced-stage cancer. Immunotherapy, on the other hand, is very effective in advanced-stage cancer patients, such as those with lung cancer, melanoma, and leukemia.
Immunotherapy is revealed to enhance survival in chemotherapy non-responders. The majority of cancer specialists in Ahmedabad now include immunotherapy in the treatment regimen to enhance survival rates as well as survival among patients.
Who Is Treated with Immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy can greatly help the following patients with:
- Lung cancer
- Skin cancer (melanoma)
- Blood cancers (leukemia, lymphoma)
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
Even for chemotherapy-nonresponsive patients, immunotherapy is a ray of hope to become cured. The majority of the hospitals in Ahmedabad offer first-class immunotherapy treatments, and hence it is readily available for cancer patients.
Challenges and Considerations
Although immunotherapy has numerous good aspects, one should remember that there are some factors:
- Not all cancer can be treated with immunotherapy: Some types of cancer will not be responsive to this treatment.
- Additional cost in the initial phase: immunotherapy may be more expensive in the beginning compared to chemotherapy, but the long-term benefit generally surpasses the expense.
- Side effects via the immune system may take place: Allergic or inflammatory side effects can result despite them being infinitesimal.
Conclusion: A New Era in Cancer Treatment
Cancer treatment has made great strides, and immunotherapy is at the head of the pack. While chemotherapy has been the tried-and-tested option for centuries, it tends to have drastic side effects with temporary results. Immunotherapy gives a targeted, long-lasting, and less harmful solution, allowing the body’s immune system to fight cancer successfully.
Due to the expert counseling of Dr. Vikesh Shah, Ahmedabad patients are now presented with the most advanced immunotherapy that can provide enhanced survival rates, fewer side effects, and sustained immunity against the recurrence of cancer.
If you or the one you love are in the position of a cancer diagnosis, it’s time to consider oncology’s future. Call Dr. Vikesh Shah to discuss whether immunotherapy is the optimal choice for you. With the proper treatment and guidance from a professional, cancer is no longer merely a struggle—it’s a war that can be won.