The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) has published a patient guide on immune-related side effects and their management.

Most of these side effects are mild to moderate and reversible if detected early and addressed appropriately, so the most important action you can take is to tell your doctor or oncology team of any new or worsening symptoms, or any symptoms that are worrying you.

Immunotherapy side-effects typically appear within a few weeks or months of starting treatment, but they can arise at any time during treatment – as early as days after the first infusion, but sometimes as long as 1 year after treatment has finished.

This guide is written in patient-friendly language and covers topics such as:

  • The immune system and cancer
  • The concept of immuno-oncology
  • How does modern immunotherapy differ from chemotherapy and tumour-targeted drugs?
  • What are the side effects of immunotherapy?
    • What symptoms should I look out for?
    • When are these side effects most likely to appear and how common are they?
  • How will immunotherapy-related side effects be managed?
    • Management of most common immune-related side effects
    • Management of rare side effects

This guide has been prepared to help you, your family and your friends better understand the nature of immunotherapy-related side effects and their management.

Download and read the guide from the ESMO website here