Immunotherapy: What It Is and What to Expect
Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor provides Immunotherapy?
An oncologist, a doctor who treats cancer, provides immunotherapy for cancer. You may receive it in a doctor's office, clinic, or outpatient unit in a hospital. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What it is
Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that helps your immune system fight cancer. The immune system helps your body fight infections and other diseases. Cancer cells have ways to avoid being destroyed by the immune system. Immunotherapy helps the immune system to better act against cancer.
Several types are used to treat cancer. Immune checkpoint inhibitors are drugs that block immune checkpoints. Checkpoints keep immune responses from being too strong. Monoclonal antibodies are immune system proteins created in the lab. They are designed to bind to specific targets on cancer cells. The other types are T-cell transfer therapy, treatment vaccines, and immune system modulators.
Why a doctor might recommend it
Immunotherapy drugs have been approved to treat many types of cancer. Immunotherapy works in these ways.
- It stops or slows the growth of cancer cells.
- It prevents cancer from spreading to other parts of the body.
- It boosts the immune system's ability to get rid of cancer cells.
However, immunotherapy is not yet as widely used as surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. Only a small portion of people who receive immunotherapy will respond to the treatment.
How to prepare
Talk with your doctors and nurses. Ask what signs to look for and what to do if problems start. You might be on treatment for a long time. How often and how long you get treatment depends on the following.
- Your type of cancer and how advanced it is
- The type you get
- How your body reacts to treatment
What happens during it
Different forms may be given in different ways. Treatment may be given every day, week, or month. Some types are given in cycles, which are periods of treatment followed by periods of rest. In T-cell transfer therapy, immune cells are taken from your tumor. The cells that are most active against your cancer are selected or changed in the lab to better attack it. They are grown in large batches and put back into your body through a needle in a vein.
Recovery
Side effects can occur at any point during and after treatment. You will see your doctor often. Your doctor will give you physical exams and ask how you feel. You will have medical tests, such as blood tests and scans. These tests measure the size of your tumor and look for changes in your blood work.
Risks and side effects
Immunotherapy can cause side effects. Many happen when the revved-up immune system also acts against healthy cells and tissues in the body. Different people have different side effects. You might have skin reactions at the needle site. These include pain, swelling, soreness, redness, itchiness, or rash.
Flu-like symptoms can include fever, chills, muscle or joint aches, fatigue, and headache. Inflammation of the liver, lungs, endocrine organs, gastrointestinal tract, or skin can sometimes be serious and even life threatening. Some types may cause severe or fatal allergic and inflammation-related reactions. These reactions are rare.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have trouble breathing, swelling of the face, eyes, or tongue, chest pain or discomfort lasting two minutes or more, or fainting.
Who performs it
An oncologist, a doctor who treats cancer, provides immunotherapy for cancer. Outpatient means you do not spend the night in the hospital.
Common questions
How is immunotherapy given?
It can be given through a vein, as pills or capsules you swallow, or directly into the bladder. A cream you rub on the skin is used for very early skin cancer.
How long does immunotherapy last?
It depends on your type of cancer, how advanced it is, and how your body reacts to treatment.
How do doctors know if immunotherapy is working?
Doctors check with physical exams, questions about how you feel, blood tests, and scans.
How does a direct primary care or concierge doctor fit in?
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
Sources
- National Cancer Institute - Immunotherapy to Treat Cancer
- National Cancer Institute - Immunotherapy Side Effects
- MedlinePlus - Immunotherapy for cancer
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
