Cancer treatment administered intravenously can cause infusion and immune reaction. The treatment used can be in the form of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy.
The risk of infusion reaction depends upon the cancer treatment. Most of the treatments have a low risk of cancer reaction and in some, the risk is higher. The risk of infusion or immune reaction depends upon the dosage of drugs and the health condition of the patient.
Infusion reaction occurs when the immune system of the body reacts strongly to the drugs infused in the body. The reaction occurs as a result of the immune system’s response to the foreign body. Infusion reaction may not necessarily occur in the first treatment. It can occur at any time during treatment. The reaction can occur immediately or after a certain few days or weeks.
Know about your treatment plan from your doctor. If there is an infusion in the treatment plan then educate yourself with all the information about the infusion reaction.
Visit your doctor if you experience any of the following sign and symptoms –
During immunotherapy, cancer patients may experience any of the above reactions.
Following methods will help cancer patients manage and prevent infusion reactions.
Pre-treatment
Get all information about the infusion reaction and know the sign and symptoms of the reaction. Taking certain medicines before the treatment can help prevent infusion reaction.
During treatment
While undergoing the treatment your healthcare provider will look for any signs of reaction. Your doctor may stop the therapy for a short period and record the vitals.
Administration of medicines through intravenous or oral route stops the reaction. Depending upon the severity of the reaction, treatment can be restarted slowly or delayed or can be permanently stopped.
What to do if you have any of the symptoms of the infusion reaction
Let your doctor or healthcare provider know the immunotherapy reaction you are suffering from. This will help you and your doctor manage and prevent the infusion or immune reaction.
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