Doctors may use cancer immunotherapy as the sole course of treatment for cancer. Or, they may use it in conjunction with other types of cancer drugs, depending on the cancer’s stage.
Statistics related to cancer treatment have found that before immunotherapy treatment was available, the 3-year survival rate of melanoma skin cancer patients averaged around 5%. Once immunotherapy treatment became more widespread, this number rose to 42%. An example of its success is a stage 4 melanoma skin cancer patient in which case the disease had already spread to the lungs, liver and bones. When the patient received immunotherapy treatment for a period of 1 ½ years, it resulted in cancer dormancy. The patient also experienced far fewer side effects than before, and was able to carry on with his/her normal life.
Such findings were the same for the 5-year survival rate of lung cancer patients, which rose from 6% to 15% after immunotherapy was introduced. This was also the case for a kidney cancer patient who received immunotherapy treatment for around one year, and was able to lead a life free from complications. Cancer immunotherapy treatment is, therefore, considered an effective medicated form of cancer treatment.
To conclude, cancer immunotherapy results in a significant transformation for the daily life of the cancer patient. This is because it provides effective treatment with minimal side effects. Nevertheless, the type of cancer treatment available to each individual is very specific. This means patients should attend a medical consultation and undergo a detailed health checkup in order to allow doctors to make the best choice for their specific needs.
Early detection significantly increases success rate
The earlier doctors can detect the cancer, the greater the chance of successfully treating it. Hence, it is crucial that we all attend annual health checkups and undergo additional age-related health screening procedures, in order to aid doctors in identifying any irregularities. This is especially important for cancer which is an extremely dangerous disease that can be successfully treated if found early enough. Furthermore, treatments such as immunotherapy mean that it is now also possible to treat stage 4 cancers or cancer that has spread to other organs. The treatment keeps the cancer dormant and enables the patient to lead a normal lifestyle for as long as possible.
The Oncology Clinic at Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital in Thailand provides a comprehensive cancer care program consistent with the highest international standards. We focus on early detection through regular screenings to give each of our patients the best possible chance of a full recovery. We then offer a diverse range of highly specialized treatment methods for all form of cancer including, colon cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer and etc. During treatment, we also emphasize palliative care to minimize each patient’s negative symptoms and discomfort. Finally, we aid with recovery rehabilitation and helping our patients return to a normal life.