0
Chemotherapy is an aggressive form of chemical drug therapy meant to destroy rapidly growing cells in the body. Doctors often recommend chemotherapy as a treatment for cancer. Chemotherapy uses drugs that kill dividing cancer cells and prevent them from growing.
Common side effects, but it's unlikely you'll have all of these:
- Tiredness
- Feeling and being sick
- Hair loss
- Infections
- Anaemia
- Bruising and bleeding
- Sore mouth
- Loss of appetite
Hugo Sutton
raghu.punarjan
Chemotherapy, often referred to as chemo, is a common treatment for cancer. While it is effective in killing cancer cells, it can also affect healthy cells and tissues in the body, leading to a range of side effects. The severity and type of side effects can vary depending on the specific chemotherapy drugs used, the dose, the duration of treatment, and the individual's overall health. Here are some common side effects of chemotherapy:
Nausea and Vomiting: This is one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy. Anti-nausea medications are often prescribed to help manage these symptoms.
Fatigue: Chemotherapy can lead to extreme tiredness and fatigue, which can persist for days or weeks after treatment.
Hair Loss: Many chemotherapy drugs can cause hair loss, including hair on the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, and body hair.
Changes in Appetite: Chemotherapy can affect taste and smell, leading to changes in appetite, food aversions, or weight loss.
Mouth Sores: Some chemotherapy drugs can cause mouth sores and ulcers, making it painful to eat and drink.
Low Blood Counts: Chemotherapy can reduce the number of blood cells in the body, leading to an increased risk of anemia (low red blood cells), infection (low white blood cells), and bleeding or bruising (low platelets).
Nerve Damage (Peripheral Neuropathy): Certain chemotherapy drugs can cause tingling, numbness, and pain in the hands and feet, known as peripheral neuropathy.
Skin Changes: Skin may become dry, sensitive, or more prone to rashes or sunburn during chemotherapy.
Constipation or Diarrhea: Chemotherapy can affect the digestive system, leading to constipation or diarrhea.
Fertility Issues: Some chemotherapy drugs can impact fertility in both men and women. It's important to discuss fertility preservation options with your healthcare team before starting treatment if you plan to have children in the future.
Cognitive Changes: Sometimes referred to as "chemo brain," some people undergoing chemotherapy report difficulties with memory, concentration, and mental clarity.
Changes in Nails: Chemotherapy can cause changes in the nails, including discoloration, brittleness, and nail loss.
Increased Risk of Infections: Chemotherapy can weaken the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections.
Bruising and Bleeding: Low platelet counts can lead to easy bruising and prolonged bleeding after minor injuries.
Emotional and Psychological Effects: Coping with cancer and its treatment can be emotionally challenging, leading to anxiety, depression, and stress.
It's important to note that not everyone will experience all of these side effects, and some individuals may have milder side effects than others. Your healthcare team will closely monitor your treatment and work with you to manage side effects as they arise. Medications, lifestyle changes, and supportive care measures can often help alleviate many of these side effects and improve your overall quality of life during cancer treatment.
Wiki User
∙ 8y agoloss of appetite drowsiness hair loss loss of appetite drowsiness hair loss Common side effects of Chemotherapy are:
- fatigue
- nausea
- vomiting
- decreased blood cell count
- hair loss
- mouth sores
- pain
(National Cancer Institution: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/chemotherapy-and-you/page5)
You need to specify side effects of what?
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoSome of the most common side effects in chemotherapy are nausea and loss of hair in some cases you might even get what might look like a sun burn but this is caused from your cells being introduced to the radiation in the chemotherapy it's self.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoThere are many different chemotherapy regimens and are many different side effects. The most common side effect is fatigue. Others may include nausea, diarrhea, numbness or tingling of the fingers/toes, mouth sores, hair loss, or muscle aches. Remember, most side effects are manageable, and talking to your doctor or nurse is important.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoCommon side effects of chemotherapy are severe feelings of nausea and major hair loss. These side effects begin after about three days of therapy. These symptons will subside after about 3 weeks.
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoChemotherapy comes with many side effects as the drugs attack much of the body, as well as the cancer cells it is being used to treat. Side effects include hair loss, sickness, tiredness, and vulnerability to infections.
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoThere are many side effects from chemo therapy. Some of the common side effects of chemo are anemia, neutropenia, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoSome common side effects of chemotherapy are fatigue, nausea & vomiting, pain, hair loss, anemia, infection, blood clotting problems, mouth, gum and throat problems.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoNausea, hair loss, and skin problems
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What are some of the side effects of mesothelioma chemotherapy?
Some of the side effects of mesothelioma chemotherapy are nausea and vomiting, fatigue, mouth sores, diarrhea and constipation, and hair loss. Blood cell side effects, drug-specific side effects, and rarer, more serious side effects, such as high fever and unexplained bruising, can also occur.
How dangerous are the effects of chemotherapy?
The effects of chemotherapy can be very dangerous. Some of the side effects include infection, dehydration, blood in the urine, and blood clots, and a condition called Thrombocytopenia.
Where can I find more information on the effects of chemotherapy?
You can visit www.cancer.org for more information on chemotherapy side effects.
What are the side effects of chemotherapy?
There are alot of side effects beginning with nausea being the most common. In some cases, there is hair loss and severe lethargy among many other effects depending on the type and amount of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy has a wide range of side effects. Most notable are the hair loss and extreme nausea associate with chemo treatments. Some patients also report severe migraine headaches.
Where can I find information about the effects of chemotherapy?
You can find information on the side effects of chemotherapy by visiting www.cancer.org. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned.
When treating breast cancer what are some side effects of chemotherapy?
The side effects of chemotherapy are many. Hair loss is perhaps the most well known and dreaded side effect of these medications. However, one can also expect weakness, fatigue, diarrhea, and nausea.
What exactly are the worst effects of chemotherapy?
Unfortunately the side effects of chemotherapy can be fairly troublesome. One such side effect is depression of the immune system leaving the patient more vulnerable to infections and sickness. Chemotherapy can also be physically tiring or even exhausting. Some consider this worse than others but chemotherapy can also lead to hair loss.
What are the various reactions to chemotherapy?
falling of hairsextreme weaknessheavy stomachirritation,feverdon't want to eatdecrease in blood components like blood plateletsthese side effects also depends on the type of medicines give during chemotherapy
Does marijuana really mitigate the effects of chemotherapy?
Not exactly. It can help with some of the side effects but it will not interfear with the beneficial effects. It will not help all people the same some respond better than others.
What are the risks of chemotherapy drugs?
Side effects of chemotherapy drugs can be significant. Each drug has different side effects. Ask your doctor about the side effects of the particular drugs you'll receive.Side effects that occur during chemotherapy treatmentMore common side effects of chemotherapy drugs that can occur during treatment include:NauseaVomitingDiarrheaHair lossLoss of appetiteFatigueFeverMouth soresPainConstipationEasy bruisingMany of these side effects can be prevented or treated. Most side effects subside after treatment ends.Long-lasting and late-developing side effectsChemotherapy drugs can also cause side effects that don't become evident until months or years after treatment. Late side effects vary depending on the chemotherapy drug, but can include:Damage to lung tissueHeart problemsInfertilityKidney problemsNerve damage (peripheral neuropathy)Risk of a second cancerAsk your doctor if you have a risk of any late side effects. Ask what signs and symptoms you should be alert for that may signal a problem.
What are the risk of chemotherapy?
Side effects of chemotherapy drugs can be significant. Each drug has different side effects. Ask your doctor about the side effects of the particular drugs you'll receive.Side effects that occur during chemotherapy treatmentMore common side effects of chemotherapy drugs that can occur during treatment include:NauseaVomitingDiarrheaHair lossLoss of appetiteFatigueFeverMouth soresPainConstipationEasy bruisingMany of these side effects can be prevented or treated. Most side effects subside after treatment ends.Long-lasting and late-developing side effectsChemotherapy drugs can also cause side effects that don't become evident until months or years after treatment. Late side effects vary depending on the chemotherapy drug, but can include:Damage to lung tissueHeart problemsInfertilityKidney problemsNerve damage (peripheral neuropathy)Risk of a second cancerAsk your doctor if you have a risk of any late side effects. Ask what signs and symptoms you should be alert for that may signal a problem.
What are the negative side effects of chemotherapy?
well 2 b honest I'm avin chemotherapy maself but here r the side affects. *Very sore mouth. *Sickness (feeling sick and throwing up.) *Loss of appetite. *sHORTAGE OF HEALTHY BLOOD CELLS.
