Immunotherapy Cancers: Patient Care Resources
Different types of treatment for cancer have different goals. Immunotherapies are designed to stimulate the body’s immune system to fight disease. Sometime immunotherapies work by releasing a brake that inhibits immune cells from fighting cancer. Antibody therapies mimic the body’s own disease-fighting antibodies to target specific proteins on the surface of some cancer cells.
Immunotherapies may be used alone or in combination with other medicines like chemotherapy.
WHAT TO KNOW TO PREPARE FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY
Getting Started In Your Care
Getting Your Diagnosis
Planning Your Treatment
Undergoing Treatment & Follow-Up
GETTING STARTED IN YOUR CARE
GETTING YOUR DIAGNOSIS
PLANNING YOUR TREATMENT
Information about your condition, diagnosis, and treatment planning.
Learn more about what to expect of treatment
Immunotherapy: Patient Care Resources
If you need treatment with cancer medications such as immunotherapy, our medical oncology (cancer) team will manage your care. You are also an important team member. Help us help you by asking questions and raising your concerns.
Your medical oncology team includes a number of cancer experts:
Your Doctors
Medical Oncologist
This type of doctor has specialized training in diagnosing and treating cancer using medications. Medical oncologists often serve as your main health care provider, coordinating your treatment among several specialists.
View All {0} Medical OncologistsExtended Care Team
This health care provider works with your surgical oncologist to help with diagnosis and treatment. An APP can be a nurse practitioner (NP), physician’s assistant (PA), or clinical nurse specialist (CNS).
MCCs are specialized registered nurses who provide one-on-one support to guide you through the cancer treatment process. MCCs serve as your point of contact to help manage your care, from your first appointment through follow-up visits. They assess your needs, answer your questions, make referrals, coordinate appointments, and provide patient education.
The CAA helps with administrative issues such as scheduling your appointments, managing your paperwork, and requesting your medical records.
If you need to stay in the hospital after surgery, a registered nurse will take care of you.
This team member greets you at the front desk and registers you for your appointments.
If you have apheresis (a specific type of blood transfusion) or chemotherapy, your infusion treatment area (ITA) scheduler will set up your appointments.
This team member helps you during your doctor visits by:
- Bringing you to your exam room after you check in for an appointment
- Providing you with a hospital gown or other clothing for your physical exam
- Taking your vital signs before your doctor sees you
A staff member calls you before your first appointment to:
- Provide information that you need to know to prepare
- Provide a list of what you need to bring
- Help gather your medical records
Support Services
PathWell is your connection to personalized support services before, during, and after your treatment. Our teams of doctors, nurses, social workers, spiritual care providers, nutrition experts, financial counselors, and more work with your oncology team to provide comprehensive specialized care to you and to your family.
- 650-498-6000 Ask for the PathWell team
Stanford Health Library
For confidential help with your health care questions, contact the Stanford Health Library. Professional medical librarians and trained volunteers can help you access journals, books, e-books, databases, and videos to learn more about medical conditions, treatment options, and related issues.
- 875 Blake Wilbur, Palo Alto: 1st floor near the cafe, 650-736-1960
- South Bay Cancer Center: 3rd floor lobby, 408-353-0197
Email us your questions: healthlibrary@stanfordhealthcare.org