11582 Immunotherapy

Overview

Immunotherapy is a type of medical treatment that uses or adjusts your body's immune system. Your immune system is the body's natural defence against illness. Immunotherapy is not one single medicine and it is not a disease. It can be used in different ways, such as helping the immune system fight cancer, helping the body tolerate an allergy, or calming an overactive immune response. Your care team will explain the exact type and goal for you.

Immunotherapy is used more often now, but it is not right for every condition or every person. Your care team can tell you whether it is an option for you and what it is expected to do.

People of all ages can receive immunotherapy, including children and older adults. It is used most often in cancer care, allergy care, and some immune system conditions. Suitability depends on the person, the condition being treated, and the overall treatment plan.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Feeling very tired or having low energy that does not improve with rest
• Skin rash, itching, dryness, or redness
• Flu-like feelings such as fever, chills, or body aches
• Nausea, vomiting, or poor appetite
• Loose stools or diarrhoea
• Redness, soreness, or swelling where a treatment was given
• Mouth sores or changes in taste
• Headache or dizziness

Symptoms in children

• Children may not be able to describe early side effects, so watch for changes in behaviour or feeding.
• Fever, poor feeding, unusual sleepiness, or being harder to wake
• New rash, vomiting, diarrhoea, or stomach pain
• Trouble breathing, wheezing, or a swollen face or lips
• Ask your child's care team what to watch for and who to call.

Symptoms in older adults

• Older adults may feel more tired, weak, or dizzy, and may be more at risk of falls.
• Watch for dehydration, confusion, or a sudden change in thinking or behaviour.
• Existing heart, lung, kidney, liver, or immune conditions can matter during treatment.
• Keep an up-to-date list of all medicines and ask the care team about interactions.

Causes

Main causes

• Immunotherapy is not caused by anything you did or did not do. It is a treatment recommended by a healthcare team.
• It may be recommended when the immune system is not controlling a disease well, or when calming an overactive immune response could help.
• Examples include some cancers, severe allergies, and some immune-related conditions.

Risk factors

• Having an autoimmune disease or a weakened immune system
• Having heart, lung, liver, or kidney problems
• Taking other treatments that affect the immune system
• Being frail, older, or very unwell at the time of treatment
• Having had a serious reaction to a similar treatment before
• Being pregnant or planning pregnancy, which should always be discussed with your care team

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• You have a new or worsening rash, fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, cough, or shortness of breath.
• Side effects are affecting eating, drinking, sleeping, or daily activities.
• You feel confused, very dizzy, or more tired than usual.
• You notice unusual bruising, bleeding, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or severe mouth sores.

Book a routine appointment if:

• You want to understand what immunotherapy is for and what to expect.
• You have mild side effects that are bothersome but not severe.
• You feel anxious, low, or overwhelmed about treatment.
• You are planning travel, vaccines, surgery, or new medicines and want advice.

Diagnosis

Immunotherapy is a treatment, not a condition, so it is not diagnosed in the usual way. Instead, your care team assesses whether immunotherapy is suitable for you. They look at your medical history, the condition being treated, your general health, and any tests needed before starting.

Tests that may be done

• Blood tests to check blood counts, liver, kidney, and hormone function
• Imaging scans, such as X-rays, CT scans, MRI, or ultrasound, depending on the condition
• A biopsy, which is a small sample of tissue, if needed to confirm the diagnosis
• Allergy tests if immunotherapy is being considered for allergies
• Heart or lung tests if your care team needs to check how these organs are working
• Pregnancy test when relevant, because treatment choices need careful discussion

What to expect at your appointment

Before treatment, you will usually have a clinic appointment to talk about benefits, risks, and alternatives. You may need baseline tests so your team knows your starting point. During treatment, you will have regular check-ups and tests to catch side effects early. Ask questions whenever you are unsure.

Treatment

Immunotherapy is planned by a specialist team. The aim depends on the condition: it may help the immune system recognise and attack disease, help the body tolerate an allergen, or calm an overactive immune response. Your team will explain the type of immunotherapy, how it is given, how often, and what side effects to watch for.

Self-care at home

• Keep a simple diary of new symptoms, when they started, and how they affect you.
• Rest when you need to, and plan important activities for times when you have more energy.
• Drink enough fluids unless your care team has told you to limit them.
• Use gentle skin care and tell your team about new rashes or itching.
• Wash your hands often and avoid close contact with people who have infections.
• Ask before taking any new medicine, supplement, or herbal product.
• Carry a card or note saying which treatment you are having, in case you need urgent care.

Medical treatments

Immunotherapy treatments work in different ways. Some help immune cells recognise and attack disease. Some use man-made proteins that act like immune system signals. Some use cells that are trained or changed in a laboratory. Allergy immunotherapy uses small, regular exposure to an allergen to build tolerance over time. Your specialist team will choose the approach that fits your condition and monitor you closely. They may also give other supportive treatments to manage side effects. No single plan fits everyone.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is not a form of immunotherapy. For some conditions, surgery may be part of the overall treatment plan alongside immunotherapy. Your specialist team will explain whether surgery is relevant for you.

Living with this condition

Treatment can affect your routine, so plan ahead. Keep contact numbers for your care team handy. Ask about flexible appointment times, help with transport, and what to do after hours. Tell family or friends what to watch for and when to seek help. It is okay to ask for practical help with shopping, childcare, or household tasks.

Lifestyle tips

• Eat regular, balanced meals and snacks if your appetite is low.
• Stay active in gentle ways, such as short walks, if you feel able.
• Get enough sleep and rest when your body needs it.
• Avoid smoking and ask for help to quit if you smoke.
• Ask your care team about alcohol, caffeine, and supplements.
• Protect your skin from strong sun if treatment makes your skin sensitive.

Diet and exercise

There is no single diet that suits everyone during immunotherapy. Aim for regular meals with vegetables, fruit, protein, and whole grains as tolerated. If eating is hard, ask about soft foods, small snacks, or a dietitian. Gentle movement can help with fatigue and mood, but start slowly. Ask your team whether there are any exercise limits for you.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

It is common to feel worried, sad, frustrated, or isolated during treatment. These feelings are valid, and support is available. Talk to your care team about counselling or peer support. If you ever feel you may harm yourself or someone else, contact your local emergency number or a crisis service in your country right away.

Prevention

You cannot prevent the need for immunotherapy, and it is not caused by lifestyle choices. You can help reduce serious side effects by having the recommended checks, telling your team about new symptoms early, and following safety advice.

Vaccines

Ask your care team before having any vaccine. Some vaccines are safe during immunotherapy, but live vaccines may not be suitable for some people. Do not assume a vaccine is safe or unsafe; check first.

Screening programmes

You may need screening tests before and during treatment to catch side effects early. These can include blood tests, scans, and checks of your heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, or hormone levels. Your team will tell you how often you need them.

Complications

If left untreated

• If the underlying condition is not treated, it may worsen over time.
• If side effects are ignored, they can become serious, even if they start mildly.
• Stopping immunotherapy without medical advice may reduce the benefit or cause problems.
• Some immune-related side effects can affect the lungs, bowel, liver, skin, hormone glands, or nerves if not reported early.

Long-term outlook

Many people receive immunotherapy safely and benefit from it. Responses vary, and some people need to switch treatments. Your care team will monitor you closely and adjust the plan to balance benefit and side effects. The goal is to treat the condition while helping you live as well as possible.

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