cards7up
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I saw this today on another forum and just had to check with our esteemed oncologists.
"We now know that Chemo actully improves the immune system. Granted it has other nasty side effects but we used to think that it weakened the immune system so perhaps this can help you feel better about the follow up chemo.
If your Oncologists have told you that Chemo weakens your immune system then yes, they were most likely not understanding your question."
Is it true that chemo actually improves the immune system?
Take care, Judy
Forums
Reply # - September 27, 2012, 07:30 PM
Reply To: Chemo & Immune System
Hi Judy,
I've never heard that chemo improves the immune system; chemo is designed to kill rapidly multiplying cells without the use of the immune system..As I'm sure you already know, the problem with the immune system and cancer is that cancer cells are basically cells familiar to the body, such as lung cells, which have mutated such that they don't follow the usual rules of cell growth and death. As a result the immune system doesn't see them as a threat and doesn't fight them. Currently being investigated are new drugs which seek to stimulate the immune system to recognize cancer cells as something to destroy. You can read about this in the discussion at http://cancergrace.org/forums/index.php?topic=11232.0
JimC
Forum moderator
Reply # - September 27, 2012, 07:38 PM
Reply To: Chemo & Immune System
I'm not aware of evidence to support that interpretation, and I would say that the vast majority of oncologists would say that most chemotherapy reduces immune function. That's the reason that people can have a higher risk of bacterial infections in the setting of a low absolute neutrophil count. (ANC), and we also see people get viral infections like shingles in patients on chemo, which is because of decreased immunity. People can and do sometimes die from infections after being on some kinds of chemo.
I'd say that it's complex, there are many kinds of chemo and different kinds of cancer, but I don't think it's an accurate statement to contend that chemo doesn't suppress the immune system and reliably improves immune function. I'd want to see the evidence to support that argument.
-Dr. West
Reply # - September 28, 2012, 04:59 PM
Reply To: Chemo & Immune System
Thanks so much Jim & Dr. West. I thought it was odd to hear that and the poster was asked for links/ evidence, but none forthcoming. Take care, Judy