Top Ten Regular Chemotherapy Adverse Reactions
Chemotherapy, a common treatment for cancer, can bring about a variety of side effects, some of which are manageable while others may require immediate medical attention. Here's a guide to help you understand the potential side effects and how to cope with them.
One of the most common side effects is fatigue, which can be overwhelming. Chemotherapy can also affect digestion, leading to constipation or diarrhea. Drinking plenty of fluids can help reduce the severity of constipation and prevent dehydration caused by diarrhea.
Hair loss is another well-known side effect of chemotherapy. While it may be distressing, it is usually temporary. To alleviate oral sores, which can sometimes develop after chemotherapy, using a non-abrasive toothpaste, numbing gel, or rinsing the mouth with warm saltwater may help.
Chemotherapy can cause anemia, leading to breathlessness. Staying calm, sitting up with pillows, and practicing pursed lip breathing may help manage breathing problems.
Less common but potentially severe side effects include severe allergic reactions, cytokine release syndrome, immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome, hepatotoxicity, new cancer risk, severe skin problems, fluid retention, infections, and nerve pain (neuropathy).
Severe allergic reactions can lead to symptoms like facial swelling, trouble breathing, difficulty swallowing, hives, or rashes. Cytokine release syndrome and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome can cause neurological symptoms like headaches, numbness or tingling in hands and feet, dizziness, confusion, sleep disturbances, memory loss, tremors, or seizures. Hepatotoxicity can cause liver damage, ranging from mild to severe, including fulminant hepatic failure.
New cancer risk, severe skin problems, fluid retention, infections, and neuropathy require close monitoring and may necessitate dose adjustments or the use of additional medications to mitigate risks. If a person experiences any unusual symptoms, such as intense headaches, pain at an injection or catheter site, or any other unusual pain, they should contact their cancer care team.
It is essential to discuss with the doctor the likely side effects of chemotherapy, their duration, and severity before starting treatment. The cancer care team may be able to help manage chemotherapy side effects and provide treatments and coping techniques to ease and relieve them.
If a person experiences persistent diarrhea, vomiting, blood in the stool or urine, difficulty breathing, or any other unusual symptoms after chemotherapy, they should seek immediate medical attention.
[1] American Cancer Society. (2021). Chemotherapy and You: Support for People with Cancer. [2] National Cancer Institute. (2021). Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) and Immune Effector Cell-Associated Neurotoxicity Syndrome (ICANS). [3] Mayo Clinic. (2021). Chemotherapy Side Effects and Complications.
- Chemotherapy may cause breast changes in some individuals, leading to tenderness or changes in breast size.
- People with diabetes and certain health-and-wellness conditions, such as HIV, should discuss potential interactions with their doctor before starting chemotherapy.
- Type 2 dermatitis can be a side effect of some chemotherapy medications, causing skin irritation and rash.
- Prep medications may be recommended for those undergoing chemotherapy to help reduce the risk of HIV transmission.
- Some chemotherapy drugs can affect the immune system, increasing the risk of lung infections like pneumonia or atopic dermatitis.
- Asides from fatigue, constipation, and hair loss, nausea and vomiting are common side effects of chemotherapy, often resolved with prescription medications.
- Aq, a type of water, can help alleviate dry mouth, a common side effect of chemotherapy, by staying well-hydrated.
- Obesity can potentially worsen the side effects of chemotherapy, so maintaining a healthy weight is essential.
- Spondylitis, a type of arthritis, is not directly related to chemotherapy but may be a side effect of certain cancer treatments.
- It's important to discuss with the cancer caregiver the potential side effects, effects on digestive health, and side effects on other medical-conditions, such as asthma or ankylosing spondylitis.
- Cancer survivors may experience long-term effects like cancer, lung cancer, or effects on health such as lung cancer or obesity.
- Chemotherapy can sometimes cause side effects like anemia or weakness, making physical activities strenuous. It's essential to take care and rest as needed during recovery.
- Science and medical advancements in cancer care have led to improved methods for detecting, predictive testing, and treating various cancers and side effects, such as cancer or nausea and vomiting.
- Cancer care teams can offer support and treatment for potential side effects such as cancer, lung cancer, and nausea and vomiting, as well as provide resources for health-and-wellness and managing side effects like hair loss and fatigue.
