Immunotherapy at Massachusetts General Hospital

Immunotherapy at Massachusetts General Hospital provides advanced cancer treatment that uses medicines to help the body's immune system recognize and fight cancer cells. Depending on the cancer type and biomarkers, immunotherapy may be used alone or together with chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation or surgery.

Price

Price on Request

Why Price on Request?

The cost depends on the cancer type and stage, immunotherapy medicine, treatment schedule, laboratory testing, infusion services and follow-up care required. A personalized estimate is provided according to the treatment plan.

Complete Description

What Is Immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that helps the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells.

It may be used for selected:

• Solid tumors

• Blood cancers

• Advanced cancers

• Recurrent cancers

• Metastatic cancers

Who May Be a Candidate for Immunotherapy?

Suitability depends on factors such as:

• Cancer type

• Cancer stage

• Tumor biomarkers

• Previous treatment

• Overall health

• Treatment history

Not every cancer patient is a candidate for immunotherapy.

Immunotherapy Consultation

The oncology team may review:

• Cancer diagnosis

• Pathology

• Imaging

• Cancer stage

• Biomarker results

• Previous treatments

• Overall health

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

One important category of immunotherapy is immune checkpoint inhibitors.

These medicines can help release certain immune-system brakes so immune cells can better recognize cancer.

Biomarker Testing

Biomarker and molecular testing may help determine whether immunotherapy could be appropriate.

Testing may evaluate relevant characteristics of the tumor and cancer cells.

Immunotherapy for Advanced Cancer

For selected advanced or metastatic cancers, immunotherapy may be used to:

• Control cancer growth

• Slow disease progression

• Reduce tumor burden

• Improve symptoms

• Extend survival when possible

Immunotherapy Combination Treatment

Immunotherapy may be combined with:

• Chemotherapy

• Targeted therapy

• Radiation therapy

• Other immunotherapy medicines

The appropriate combination depends on the cancer and individual treatment plan.

Intravenous Immunotherapy

Many immunotherapy medicines are administered through an IV infusion.

Patients may be monitored during and after treatment according to the medicine and clinical circumstances.

Treatment Planning

The oncology team develops an individualized plan based on:

• Cancer type

• Stage

• Biomarkers

• Previous therapies

• Treatment goals

• Overall health

Immunotherapy Monitoring

During treatment, specialists may monitor:

• Cancer response

• Blood tests

• Organ function

• Symptoms

• Treatment-related effects

• Imaging results when appropriate

Potential Immunotherapy Side Effects

Because immunotherapy affects the immune system, it can sometimes cause immune-related side effects.

Possible effects may involve:

• Skin

• Digestive system

• Liver

• Lungs

• Hormone-producing glands

• Other organs

Patients are monitored for symptoms throughout treatment.

Management of Immune-Related Effects

If immune-related complications develop, the oncology team may evaluate symptoms and provide appropriate treatment.

Early reporting of new or worsening symptoms is important during immunotherapy.

Immunotherapy Before or After Surgery

In selected cancers, immunotherapy may be used:

• Before surgery

• After surgery

• In combination with other treatment

The timing depends on the cancer type and treatment strategy.

Immunotherapy and Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy may be combined with immunotherapy in selected treatment plans.

Specialists determine whether combination treatment is appropriate for the individual patient.

Clinical Trials

Eligible patients may have access to clinical trials evaluating:

• New immunotherapy medicines

• Combination immunotherapy

• Immunotherapy with chemotherapy

• Immunotherapy with targeted therapy

• Other innovative cancer treatments

Immunotherapy Second Opinion

Patients may seek an immunotherapy second opinion regarding:

• Treatment eligibility

• Biomarker testing

• Recommended immunotherapy

• Combination treatments

• Clinical trials

International Patients

International patients should provide available cancer records whenever possible.

Useful documents may include:

• Pathology reports

• Biopsy results

• Biomarker or molecular testing

• CT/MRI/PET reports

• Previous treatment records

• Laboratory results

• Medication list

Benefits of Specialized Immunotherapy Care

Specialized care may help:

• Determine treatment eligibility

• Review relevant biomarkers

• Select an appropriate immunotherapy

• Monitor treatment response

• Detect immune-related complications

• Coordinate combination cancer treatments

• Evaluate clinical trial opportunities

Why Choose Massachusetts General Hospital for Immunotherapy?

Massachusetts General Hospital provides comprehensive immunotherapy and advanced cancer treatment through Mass General Cancer Center, with multidisciplinary specialists involved in diagnosis, treatment planning, monitoring and follow-up.

Cost & Price on Request

Price: Price on Request

Potential costs may include:

• Medical oncology consultation

• Biomarker testing

• Immunotherapy medicine

• Infusion administration

• Laboratory testing

• Imaging

• Management of treatment-related effects

• Follow-up care

A personalized cost estimate should be requested according to the patient's treatment plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does immunotherapy do?

Immunotherapy helps the body's immune system recognize and fight cancer cells.

2. Is immunotherapy suitable for every cancer patient?

No. Suitability depends on the cancer type, stage, biomarkers, previous treatment and individual health factors.

3. Is immunotherapy given through an IV?

Many immunotherapy medicines are administered through intravenous infusion, although treatment methods vary by medicine.

4. Can immunotherapy be combined with chemotherapy?

Yes. Selected patients may receive immunotherapy together with chemotherapy or other cancer treatments.

5. How much does immunotherapy cost?

Price is available on request. The final cost depends on the immunotherapy medicine, treatment schedule, testing, infusion services and follow-up care.

Product Details

Product Name: Immunotherapy at Massachusetts General Hospital

Hospital: Massachusetts General Hospital

Brand: Massachusetts General Hospital

Country: United States

Specialty: Oncology & Cancer Care

Service Type: Immunotherapy

Customer-Facing Price: Price on Request

International Patients: Available

Location: Boston, Massachusetts, USA