|
Chemotherapy |
Immunotherapy |
|
||
Purpose |
Destroys cancer cells directly |
Stimulates the immune system to attack cancer cells |
Mechanism of action |
Targets fast-dividing cells (cancer and some healthy cells) |
Helps the immune system recognize and destroy cancer cells |
Administration |
Intravenous, oral, or injection |
Intravenous, subcutaneous, sometimes oral |
Common side effects |
Nausea, hair loss, fatigue, infections |
Inflammation, fever, fatigue, autoimmune reactions |
Effect duration |
Usually effective while being administered |
May have long-lasting effects by 'training' the immune system |
Combination use |
Can be combined with other therapies |
Can also be combined with chemotherapy or other treatments |
Similarity |
||
Both aim to treat cancer |
||
Both interfere with cancer growth |
||
Both can be administered intravenously |
||
Both can cause fatigue and general discomfort |
||
Both are given in treatment cycles |
||
Both can be used together in some cancer treatments |
Chemotherapy and immunotherapy are two common treatments used to fight cancer, but they work in different ways. First, chemotherapy uses powerful drugs to kill rapidly dividing cancer cells directly, which may also affect healthy cells, especially those in the digestive tract, hair follicles, and bone marrow. Immunotherapy, on the other hand, stimulates the body’s own immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. Both treatments aim to control or eliminate cancer, and similarly, they can be administered intravenously and in cycles. Patients undergoing either treatment might experience side effects such as fatigue or nausea. However, the types and intensity of these effects may vary. Chemotherapy often causes hair loss and a higher risk of infection due to lowered white blood cells, while immunotherapy may lead to immune-related side effects like inflammation or flu-like symptoms. On the other hand, immunotherapy tends to have longer-lasting effects because it helps the immune system remember how to fight the cancer. In some cases, both treatments are combined to increase effectiveness. Despite their differences, chemotherapy and immunotherapy share the common goal of improving survival and quality of life for cancer patients. Each has its strengths and limitations, and the choice depends on the type and stage of cancer.