Immunotherapy and prostate cancer

Immunotherapy medicines help the immune system recognise or attack cancer cells. They are not suitable for every prostate cancer, and the decision depends on the cancer’s stage, how it has responded to earlier care, laboratory findings, and your other medical conditions.

Your oncology team may review tumour testing before recommending this approach. They will also explain whether immunotherapy is being considered alone, alongside another treatment, or within a wider plan. Other options can include hormone treatment, [radiotherapy](/treatments/radiation-oncology/radiotherapy/), [brachytherapy](/treatments/radiation-oncology/brachytherapy/), surgery, or targeted radioisotope therapy.

Bring a list of medicines, supplements, allergies, and previous cancer treatments. Tell the team about autoimmune illness, organ problems, infections, and any medicines that affect immunity. Treatment visits commonly include a symptom review and blood tests so the team can decide whether to continue, pause, or adjust care.

Keep a record of new changes between visits. Do not start a supplement or stop a prescribed medicine without checking first. If urinary symptoms are troublesome, information about [difficulty passing urine](/symptoms/difficulty-passing-urine/) may help you describe what is happening.

Contact your cancer team promptly for new or worsening breathlessness, chest pain, severe diarrhoea, persistent vomiting, yellowing of the skin, marked weakness, confusion, a widespread rash, or a fever. Immunotherapy-related inflammation can affect organs and may need treatment quickly.

Seek urgent help for severe breathing difficulty, fainting, sudden confusion, or new weakness in an arm or leg. Do not wait for the next scheduled appointment when symptoms are rapidly worsening.

Ask which tumour features support immunotherapy, what other treatments remain appropriate, how response will be assessed, which side effects need same-day advice, and who to contact outside clinic hours. You can also ask whether [targeted radioisotope therapy](/treatments/radiation-oncology/targeted-radioisotope-therapy/) or [bone-strengthening therapy](/treatments/supportive-and-palliative-care/bone-strengthening-therapy/) has a role in your plan.