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Chemotherapy Side Effects

What are the side effects of chemotherapy?

Before chemotherapy starts, most people are concerned about whether they will have side effects and, if so, what they will be like. When you are first told about the side effects, you may feel overwhelmed. It is important to know that every person doesn't get every side effect, and some people get few, if any. The severity of side effects varies greatly from person to person. Whether you have a particular side effect, and how severe it will be, depends on the kind of chemotherapy you get and how your body reacts.

Because cancer cells grow and divide rapidly, anticancer drugs are made to kill fast-growing cells. But certain normal, healthy cells also multiply quickly, and chemotherapy can affect these cells, too. The types of side effects vary depending on the type of chemotherapy given. The most common side effects of chemotherapy include lowering of blood counts, potential for nausea and vomiting, hair loss, and fatigue.

Chemotherapy can reduce the bone marrow's ability to make white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. White blood cells fight infection. An infection can begin in almost any part of your body, including your mouth, skin, lungs, abdomen, urinary tract, rectum, and reproductive tract. It is very important that if you have any signs or symptoms of an infection or a temperature of 100.5 F or greater that you contact your healthcare team immediately. Red blood cells carry oxygen to all parts of your body. When there are decreased red blood cells, body tissues don't get enough oxygen to do their work. This condition is called anemia. Anemia can make you feel very weak and tired. Other symptoms of anemia include dizziness, palpitations and shortness of breath. Be sure to report any of these symptoms to your healthcare team. Anticancer drugs can effect the bone marrow's ability to make platelets, the blood cells that help stop bleeding by making your blood clot. If your blood does not have enough platelets, you may bleed or bruise more easily than usual, even from minor injury. Be sure to let your healthcare team know if you have unexpected bruising, small red spots under the skin, reddish or pinkish urine, or black or bloody bowel movements. Also report any bleeding from your gums or nose. Your doctor will check your blood counts often during your treatments.

Chemotherapy can cause nausea and vomiting by affecting the stomach, the area of the brain that controls vomiting, or both. This reaction to chemotherapy varies from person to person and drug to drug. Some people never vomit or feel nauseous. Nausea and vomiting almost always can be controlled by anti-nausea medication. Different drugs work for different people and it may be necessary to use more than one drug to get relief. Don't give up. Continue to work with your doctor and nurse to find the drug or drug combination that works best for you.

Hair loss (alopecia) is a common side effect of chemotherapy. Your doctor or nurse can tell you whether hair loss is likely to occur with the drug or drugs you are taking. When hair loss does occur, the hair may become thinner or may fall out entirely. The hair usually grows back after the treatments are over. Hair regrowth sometimes occurs during treatment. In some cases, hair may grow back in a different color or texture. On average hair starts to fall out three weeks after your first treatment. Hair loss can occur on all parts of the body, not just the head. Facial hair, arms and leg hair, underarm hair, pubic hair all may be affected.

Some people who lose all or most of their hair choose to wear turbans, scarves, caps, wigs, or hairpieces. Other leave their head uncovered. There are no wrong or right choices; whatever feels comfortable for you is correct.