Lung cancer: immunotherapy

Understanding your treatment options for lung cancer

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Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy or immune-oncology (IO) as it is sometimes referred, is a type of treatment for lung cancer. It works by helping the body’s immune system to recognise and destroy cancer cells. It can be used on its own or in combination with chemotherapy.

Cancer cells can sometimes find ways to trick the immune system into thinking they are normal cells and should not be attacked. This allows them to grow and spread. Immunotherapy treatment reactivates the immune system, helping it to recognise and attack the abnormal cancer cells.

The aim of this treatment is to control your lung cancer, slow the spread and help relieve symptoms when the cancer cannot be cured.

The most common way of giving this is through a vein into your body. It is known as intravenous, or IV immunotherapy. This is given in a hospital setting as a day case admission.

Your respiratory team will have directly referred you to the doctors that offer immunotherapy; if this is the treatment you have been offered. They are called Medical Oncologists.

You will receive your treatment at The Meadows Unit at Eccleshill Community Hospital in Bradford. All appointments you have with your Oncologist and any treatment received will be administered at this unit.

You will be given contact numbers for the department. There is no charge to park at Eccleshill Community Hospital. 

For more information on immunotherapy, visit the Macmillan Charity website.

We have created this video guide below to help you better understand the treatment process:

Risks to be aware of

It is important to consider in your treatment plan some of the potential side effects that immunotherapy can cause.

Common side effects include:

  • Fatigue
  • Itching
  • Skin rash
  • Loss of appetite
  • Cough
  • Nausea
  • Constipation
  • Joint pain
  • Diarrhoea

Immunotherapy can sometimes cause your immune system to become overactive. This may cause your body to react against normal tissues. Your thyroid function may be affected; hypothyroidism is the commonest immune-related side effect.You will be given the number for the Acute Oncology Helpline. This is a telephone that is manned 24 hours a day, every day of the year where you should ring if you have any problems with side effects from treatment. 

Contact and directions

Your lung cancer nurse specialist team can answer any questions or concerns you have and help you to make any decisions you’re unsure about. Please don’t hesitate to contact them. You can find out more information and helpful links here on your patient journey microsite.

People with hearing and speech difficulties

You can contact us using the Relay UK app. Textphone users will need to dial 18001 before the number to be contacted.

Accessible Information

If you need this information in another format or language, please ask a member of staff.

Smoking

Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is a smoke-free organisation. You are not permitted to smoke or use e-cigarettes in any of the hospital buildings or grounds.

Wristbands

When you are in hospital it is essential to wear a wristband at all times to make sure you are safe during your stay. The wristband will show accurate details about you on it including all the information that staff need to identify you correctly and give you the right care.

If you do not have a wristband whilst in hospital, then please ask a member of staff for one. If it comes off or is uncomfortable, ask a member of staff to replace it.