An Overview of Chemotherapy Side Effects
Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer with medications that can destroy cancer cells. These drugs are often called "anticancer" drugs. Chemotherapy medications destroy cancer cells by stopping them from growing or multiplying. However, healthy cells can also be harmed, especially those that divide quickly. The fast-growing, normal cells most likely to be affected are blood cells forming in the bone marrow and cells in the digestive tract (in the mouth, stomach, intestines, or esophagus), reproductive system (sexual organs), and hair follicles. Some anticancer drugs may also affect cells of vital organs, such as the heart, kidney, bladder, lungs, and nervous system. Harm to healthy cells is what causes chemotherapy side effects.
Common Chemotherapy Side Effects
There are many possible side effects of chemotherapy. The specific side effects you have and the severity of these side effects will vary depending on the type and dose of chemotherapy you have, as well as how your body reacts to that chemotherapy.
Common side effects with chemotherapy may include:
- Fatigue (see Chemotherapy and Fatigue)
- Nausea and vomiting (see Chemotherapy and Nausea)
- Pain (see Chemotherapy-Related Pain)
- Hair loss (see Chemotherapy and Hair Loss)
- Infections (see Chemotherapy and Infections)
- Blood clotting problems (see Blood Clotting Problems and Chemotherapy)
- Anemia (see Chemotherapy and Anemia)
- Problems with the nervous system, such as tiredness, confusion, or depression
- Mouth and gum problems (see Mouth and Gum Problems During Chemotherapy)
- Diarrhea (see Chemotherapy-Induced Diarrhea)
- Constipation (see Constipation With Chemotherapy)
- Nerve and muscle problems (see Nerve and Muscle Problems During Chemotherapy)
- Skin and nail problems, including radiation recall (see Skin and Nail Problems With Chemotherapy)
- Kidney and bladder problems (see Kidney and Bladder Problems With Chemotherapy)
- Flu-like symptoms, such as muscle and joint aches, headaches, tiredness, nausea, a slight fever (usually less than 100°F), chills, and a poor appetite
- Sexual side effects (see Chemotherapy Sexual Side Effects)
- Fluid retention (see Fluid Retention During Chemotherapy).
Click on any of the links above to learn about treating the specific side effects of chemotherapy listed above.