All About Immunotherapy
What is immunotherapy, and how is it different from chemotherapy? A complete guide to checkpoint inhibitors — how they work, what to expect, side effects that need urgent attention, and diet during treatment.
What exactly is immunotherapy? Is it different from chemotherapy? Are there different kinds of immunotherapy, and which one are you receiving?
This hub answers those questions and explains why most of the articles in this series focus on checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy — the type most patients in India actually receive.
What most patients want to know before they start
- Immunotherapy helps your own immune system recognise and fight cancer — it is not a gentler form of chemotherapy.
- For most solid cancers, the immunotherapy patients receive is a checkpoint inhibitor.
- Biomarker tests such as PD-L1, TMB, and MSI help guide decisions, but they cannot predict with certainty who will benefit.
- Immunotherapy is not side-effect free — it can cause immune-related inflammation in normal organs.
- Tell every doctor you see that you are on immunotherapy — early recognition of side effects prevents serious complications.
- There is no special immunotherapy diet; probiotic supplements need caution — discuss them with your oncologist.
If you develop new or worsening symptoms while on immunotherapy — especially diarrhoea, shortness of breath, severe fatigue, rash with blistering, headache with confusion, or yellowing of the eyes — contact your oncology team the same day. Do not wait to see if it improves. Always tell every doctor: "I am receiving immunotherapy."
All About Immunotherapy — Complete Guide
What Is Immunotherapy and How Does It Treat Cancer?
How checkpoint inhibitors work, why PD-L1/TMB/MSI testing matters, and what patients in India commonly mistake for immunotherapy.
ReadWhat Should I Expect During Immunotherapy Treatment?
How treatment is scheduled and monitored, what is safe to combine it with, and what is common versus what needs a call to your team.
ReadDoes Immunotherapy Really Have No Side Effects?
The warning signs that should never be ignored, organised by organ system — and how to tell mild from urgent.
ReadDo I Need a Special Diet During Immunotherapy?
What to eat, what the emerging gut-microbiome research actually shows, and why probiotic supplements need caution.
ReadWhy We Created This Resource
Immunotherapy has changed cancer care — and with it, the questions patients and families ask.
This guide explains the treatment most patients in India actually receive, with practical guidance on monitoring, side effects, and daily life — so you can recognise what matters and ask better questions at every appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore Related Topics
References
General clinical resources used to support patient education on this site. Your personal treatment plan should always be discussed with your oncologist.
Still have questions?
Dr. Sudha Sinha's team is available on WhatsApp for guidance and appointments.