How effective is immunotherapy for triple-negative breast cancer?

Triple-negative breast cancer lacks three common receptors, so hormone treatments and HER2-targeted medicines do not guide its treatment. Immunotherapy helps the immune system recognise and attack cancer cells. It may be combined with chemotherapy before surgery, after surgery, or used when disease has spread, depending on the individual plan.

The oncology team may review the cancer's stage, immune markers, previous treatment and general health. A scan, examination and sometimes tissue testing help show whether the disease is responding. A response can mean the tumour shrinks, remains controlled, or becomes easier to remove; it does not mean the same outcome for every person.

Ask how immunotherapy fits with chemotherapy, surgery or radiotherapy, and which result would lead to continuing, changing or stopping it. Keep a record of new symptoms, medicines and supplements. Immune-related effects can involve the skin, bowel, lungs, liver, thyroid or other organs, so report changes early rather than waiting for the next appointment.

Before treatment, discuss autoimmune conditions, organ problems, pregnancy plans and medicines that affect the immune system. Bring a trusted person to visits if useful and ask for the clinic's after-hours contact route.

Contact the oncology team promptly for new diarrhoea, severe rash, yellowing of the eyes, unusual breathlessness, persistent cough, marked weakness, confusion, severe headache or reduced urine. Seek urgent care for trouble breathing, fainting, severe chest pain or rapidly worsening symptoms, and say that you are receiving immunotherapy.

Which stage and tumour features make immunotherapy relevant for me? How will you measure response, and when will scans or examinations be used? Which symptoms should trigger a same-day call? What are the alternatives if this approach is not suitable?