Chemotherapy vs Immunotherapy
A cancer diagnosis comes with a lot of new words. You might hear terms like chemotherapy and immunotherapy. You might wonder what they mean and what the differences are between them. They both treat cancer but do so in different ways. Here is how they compare.
What Is Chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy is probably a word you've heard. But what does it mean? Think of it as a strong medicine that kills cancer cells. The medicine travels through your whole body. It works fast. It can't tell the difference between a healthy cell and a cancer cell. That's why chemo can cause side effects. You might lose hair, feel tired or have an upset stomach. Your cancer care team will likely give you the medicine in phases instead of all at one time.
What Is Immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy is a newer type of treatment. It helps your immune system find and fight cancer. Because it is targeted, this treatment is less likely to affect healthy cells. It is usually slower to work than chemotherapy. But it may continue to work after your treatment ends. If you get immunotherapy, you might have flu-like symptoms. Another side effect can be inflammation of your skin, gut or lungs.
How They Compare
Here is a simple table that compares two common cancer treatments:
| Feature | Chemotherapy | Immunotherapy |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Kills cancer cells directly | Helps your immune system fight cancer |
| What it affects | Cancer and healthy cells | Mostly cancer cells |
| Common side effects | Hair loss, nausea, fatigue | Flu-like symptoms, inflammation |
| How fast it works | Often quickly | Usually slower |
Is One Better Than the Other?
Many people want to know if chemotherapy or immunotherapy is better for cancer treatment. There is no clear answer. The two treatments are different tools for different jobs. One treatment might work well for one type of cancer. It might not work for another. In other words, it depends. The best approach depends on your overall health, the type of cancer and the stage of cancer. Your goals and genes also play a role. Many treatment plans use both treatments together.
Immunotherapy for Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is one type of cancer where you might hear immunotherapy brought up as part of treatment. For certain patients with advanced forms of lung cancer, immunotherapy and chemotherapy together may lead to better outcomes.
Learn More at Baptist Health
To learn more about cancer treatments, reach out to your Baptist Health oncologist. If you do not have an oncologist, you can find one by visiting our provider directory.
