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Immunotherapy uses the power of your immune system to fight your cancer. This may be a treatment option for you depending on your esophageal cancer type, stage and your situation.
Esophageal Cancer Care Tailored to You
You and your family are our top priority. At Fred Hutch Cancer Center, we offer comprehensive and compassionate care — personalized to you. You'll have access to the latest treatment options, clinical trials and supportive care services.
How Immunotherapy is Used for Esophageal Cancer Treatment
For esophageal cancer that has spread, we have medicines called immune checkpoint inhibitors. A healthy immune system attacks bacteria, viruses and sometimes harmful cells, like cancer cells. It is supposed to leave harmless cells alone. One way that cancer cells survive is by sending false signals that make them look harmless.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors block cancer’s false signals. This allows your natural defenses to work better. Your team may recommend one of these medicines based on the exact features of your cancer, your overall health and any other medical issues you have.
An immune checkpoint inhibitor used for esophageal cancer is pembrolizumab (Keytruda). It blocks the protein PD-1, taking the brakes off your T cells and allowing these immune cells to attack your cancer.
Why Choose Fred Hutch for Immunotherapy for Esophageal Cancer
Medical oncologists at Fred Hutch are experts in all forms of medicine to treat cancer, including the latest targeted therapies. They know how to choose and combine drug options to match your needs. Besides standard therapies, we often have clinical trials testing new drugs or new combinations for esophageal cancer. We are able to offer therapies that aren’t offered everywhere.
Your medical oncologist partners with the rest of your Fred Hutch care team. They work closely with your surgical oncologist and pathologist. They design a treatment plan for you to target your tumor and have the least impact on healthy tissue. Your medical oncologist also works closely with you to manage any side effects from medicine-based treatments. Your whole team helps you take the best possible care of yourself.
Common side effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors include:
- Fatigue
- Cough
- Loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea or constipation
- Skin rash or itching
- Joint pain
- Change in hormone levels
If your Fred Hutch team recommends immunotherapy, we’ll explain what to expect based on the medicine you’re getting and how to manage these side effects.
Your care team at Fred Hutch is here to help you prevent or prepare for side effects and to relieve any side effects you have. The most important step you can take is to speak up and let your team know what you’re feeling. We’ve helped many patients and families through this process and know ways to ease your experience. The Fred Hutch Patient Education team has video resources that go over how to keep common side effects at bay.
Often, there are medicines to help, like anti-nausea drugs. Based on the side effect, there may be a range of other helpful options too, like diet changes, physical therapy and emotional and practical support. We also offer integrative medicine, including acupuncture.