Chemotherapy side effects
Chemotherapy drugs kill cancer cells, but they can also damage healthy
cells. This damage to healthy cells causes side effects. Different cells and
tissues in the body tolerate chemotherapy differently. Chemotherapy drugs have
the greatest effect on rapidly dividing cells, such as blood cells in the bone
marrow, cells lining the mouth and gastrointestinal (GI) tract and hair
follicle cells.
Many side effects go away
fairly quickly, but some may take months or even years to completely go away.
Sometimes the side effects can last a lifetime, such as when chemo causes
long-term damage to the heart, lungs, kidneys, or reproductive organs. Certain
types of chemo sometimes cause delayed effects, such as a second cancer that may show up many years later.
Chemotherapy drugs kill cancer cells, but they can also damage healthy
cells. This damage to healthy cells causes side effects. Different cells and
tissues in the body tolerate chemotherapy differently. Chemotherapy drugs have
the greatest effect on rapidly dividing cells, such as blood cells in the bone
marrow, cells lining the mouth and gastrointestinal (GI) tract and hair
follicle cells.
What causes side effects?
Cancer cells tend to grow fast, and chemo drugs kill fast-growing
cells. But because these
drugs travel throughout the body, they can affect
normal, healthy cells that are fast-growing, too. Damage to healthy cells
causes side effects. Side effects are not always as bad as you might expect,
but many people worry about this part of cancer treatment.
The normal cells most likely to be damaged by chemo are blood-forming
cells in the bone marrow; hair follicles; and cells in the mouth, digestive
tract, and reproductive system. Some chemo drugs can damage cells in the heart,
kidneys, bladder, lungs, and nervous system. In some cases, medicines can be
given with the chemo to help protect the body’s normal cells.
What should I know about side effects?
- Every person doesn’t get every side effect, and some people get few, if any.
- The severity of side effects (how “bad” they are) varies greatly from person to person. Be sure to talk to your doctor and nurse about which side effects are most common with your chemo, how long they might last, how bad they might be, and when you should call the doctor’s office about them.
- Your doctor may give you medicines to help prevent some side effects before they happen.
- Some types of
chemo cause long-term side effects, like heart or nerve damage or fertility problems.
Still, many people have no long-term problems from chemo. Ask your doctor
about the long-term risks of the chemo drugs you’re getting.
While side effects can be unpleasant, they must
be weighed against the need to kill the cancer cells.
How long
do side effects last?
Most side effects slowly go away after treatment ends because the
healthy cells recover over time. The time it takes to get over some side
effects and regain energy varies from person to person. It depends on many
factors, including your overall health and the drugs you were given.
Many side effects go away
fairly quickly, but some may take months or even years to completely go away.
Sometimes the side effects can last a lifetime, such as when chemo causes
long-term damage to the heart, lungs, kidneys, or reproductive organs. Certain
types of chemo sometimes cause delayed effects, such as a second cancer that may show up many years later.
People often become discouraged about how long their treatment
lasts or the side effects they have. If you feel this way, talk to your doctor.
You may be able to change your medicine or treatment schedule. Your doctor or
nurse also may be able to suggest ways to reduce any pain and discomfort you
have.
What are common side effects?
Most people worry about whether they will have side effects from
chemo, and, if so, what they’ll be like. Here’s a review of some of the more
common side effects caused by chemotherapy. We also share some tips on how you
can manage them.
Side effects can happen any time during, immediately after, or a
few days or weeks after chemotherapy. Most side effects go away when
chemotherapy is over. However, some side effects may continue after treatment
is over because it takes time for healthy cells to recover from the effects of
chemotherapy drugs. Late side effects can occur months or years after
treatment. Some side effects may last a long time or be permanent. It is
important to report side effects to the healthcare team. Doctors may also grade
(measure) how severe certain side effects are. Sometimes chemotherapy
treatments need to be adjusted if side effects are severe.
The
following are the most common side effects that people tend to experience with
chemotherapy. Some people may experience all, some or none of these side
effects. Others may experience different side effects.
1. Bone marrow
suppression
2. Sore mouth
3. Inflamed mucous
membranes
4. Nausea and vomiting
5. Loss of appetite
6. Changes in taste and
smell
7. Diarrhea
8. Dehydration
9. Constipation
10. Fatigue
11. Flu-like symptoms
12. Hair loss
13. Skin changes
14. Eye changes
15. Pain
16. Cystitis
17. Bedwetting
18. Weight gain
19. Pain at the injection site
20. Inflamed vein
21. Allergic reactions
22. Fluid retention
23. Organ damage
24. Second cancers
Side effects can occur with any type of treatment, but not
everyone has them or experiences them in the same way. Side effects of
chemotherapy will depend mainly on:
·
the type of drug
·
the dose
·
how the drug is given
·
the person’s overall health
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