Cancer Information Tips :: Chemotherapy Effects
Chemotherapy Effects: The Side Effects of Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy effects can be intense – depending on the types of drugs being administered, the dose and the patient.
Healthy cells that reproduce rapidly, like the cells in the bone marrow, stomach, mouth, hair and intestines, are very susceptible to the damage caused by chemotherapy. This is why so many of the side effects of chemotherapy are related to these areas of the body.
Of course, no two people experience chemotherapy or its subsequent side effects the same way. Partly because everyone is different, but also because each chemotherapy treatment is individual.
One patient may receive more of a particular drug that induces nausea, while another patient may receive a drug that causes dramatic hair loss. The side effects may also change as treatment progresses.
So, while the chemotherapy effects listed here are common – they're not automatic, nor are they standard. Remember, each person experiences different effects.
Nausea and Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting are probably the two most common side effects of chemotherapy. Vomiting occurs when the drug stimulates a certain part of the brain called the chemoreceptor trigger zone – this then sends a message to the vomiting area of the brain. Fortunately, new drugs are being developed that limit this response.
If nausea or vomiting are going to occur, it typically starts just a few hours after the treatment is completed and lasts for a short period.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea means having watery or loose stools three or more times in a day. It occurs during chemotherapy because the drugs are affecting the lining of your intestines. This chemotherapy side effect can last for a short period or intermittently throughout the duration of the treatment, depending on the drugs given and the dose.
Mouth Sores
The inside the mouth can be injured by chemotherapy as these cells are constantly regenerating. The lining may bleed and sores can develop, making the mouth are susceptible to infections. The throat and esophagus are also prone to becoming sore. To protect your mouth from infection, practice good oral hygiene.
To sooth a sore mouth, use a cotton swab to apply milk of magnesia to mouth sores, eat soft foods cold or at room temperature, avoid acidic foods or, if none of this works, talk to your doctor about a pain medication.
Hair Loss
Not all chemotherapy drugs will cause hair loss and some drugs will only cause minimal thinning of the hair. Some people lose just the hair from their heads while others lose hair all over their bodies. Again, it depends on the drug, the dose and the individual.
Hair loss won't happen immediately and typically starts gradually, eventually escalating to hair coming out in larger clumps. It is one of the most dreaded chemotherapy effects, but it's also temporary.
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CancerInfoTips.com :: Chemotherapy Effects