Esophageal cancer treatment with immunotherapy

Immunotherapy treats esophageal cancer, helping the body's immune system fight it. It's used in advanced or recurrent cancer. Currently, two approved immunotherapy drugs, called checkpoint inhibitors, are commonly used Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and Nivolumab (Opdivo). Before the treatment, the doctors review the patient's medical history and do a physical check-up. The patient also meets a specialist in stomach and intestine cancers. Finally, blood tests are done to check the patient's suitability for the procedure. The patient undergoes a series of image tests then the doctors create a treatment plan; if more information is needed, they might take a small tumor sample under a microscope. Doctors can also make specific tests to determine the type of esophageal cancer. When everything is ready, the patient starts their first course of immunotherapy. It is usually given through a vein in the arm. After each immunotherapy session, the patient receives symptomatic care to manage any side effects or discomfort. When the immunotherapy course is finished, more tests are done to determine how the cancer responds to the treatment. Immunotherapy can shrink the tumor and its metastases and lengthen a patient's life. It can also lower the chance of cancer recurrence. In addition, for some people with advanced esophageal cancer, immunotherapy can help manage symptoms. Sometimes, it's used along with other treatments like chemo or surgery.