Do you need a referral for immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy is a group of medicines that changes how the immune system responds to cancer. It is not suitable for every cancer or every stage of disease. A medical oncologist considers the exact diagnosis, pathology findings, previous treatment, current health, medicines, and relevant test results before recommending it. The referral is an access step; it does not mean immunotherapy has already been selected.

Ask the clinic whether it accepts direct appointments or needs a referral from your current doctor. Gather pathology reports, scan reports and images, treatment summaries, a complete medicine list, allergy details, and information about autoimmune conditions or organ transplants. Tell the oncologist about new symptoms and any medicines that affect immune function. The team may request further tests before discussing a treatment plan.

If you are receiving immunotherapy, contact the treatment team promptly for new or worsening diarrhoea, breathing difficulty, persistent cough, yellowing of the skin or eyes, severe weakness, confusion, marked headache, vision changes, or a widespread rash. Immune-related effects can involve different organs and may need rapid assessment. Severe breathing difficulty, collapse, a seizure, or inability to stay awake requires emergency help. Do not delay urgent care while seeking referral documents.

Ask what feature of the cancer makes immunotherapy worth considering, what tests are still needed, how it would fit with other treatments, and how response will be checked. Request clear instructions for reporting symptoms at any hour, including which number to call and whether to withhold a scheduled dose while awaiting advice.