Immunotherapy uses your own immune system to recognize and fight cancer. This type of treatment has provided major advances in the care and treatment of some cancer patients.
At Osler, we have established an immunotherapy program that is the first of its kind in Canada. All patients who start immunotherapy here receive comprehensive education and proactive care. The program is led by world-renowned expert Dr. Parneet Cheema, a medical oncologist with extensive experience in this treatment.
Immunotherapy is currently being used as a treatment in a wide range of different cancers. Depending on your needs, your doctor may treat your cancer with immunotherapy alone or with a combination of immunotherapy and chemotherapy. Once your treatment is confirmed, your doctor will refer you to our immunotherapy clinic. A specialized nurse will teach you about the treatment, including possible side effects and how to best communicate with your health care team.
Side effects of immunotherapy
While immunotherapy has many benefits, sometimes it can cause your immune system to damage healthy cells by mistake. Because of this, potential side effects may arise in different parts of the body.
Common side effects include but not limited to:
- inflammation of the lungs (pneumonitis)
- inflammation of the intestines (colitis)
- inflammation of the skin (dermatitis)
- inflammation of endocrine glands such as thyroid (endocrinopathies)
Most of these symptoms can be treated with medication or with hormone replacement therapy. It is very important to tell your health care team about any side effects or changes to your health as soon as they appear. Do not try to manage any side effects yourself. We are here for you!
For health care professionals looking for additional supporting materials on our immunotherapy program, please contact us at immunotherapy@williamoslerhs.ca.
