Chemotherapy Side Effects

Fatigue, nausea, and hair loss are among the common side effects of chemotherapy. Side effects such as these typically occur when the chemotherapy treatment harms healthy cells. In most cases, the side effects will gradually go away after the chemotherapy treatment ends and the healthy cells have a chance to grow normally. The time it takes to recover from these side effects can vary depending on a number of factors, such as your overall health and the kind of chemotherapy you have undergone.

 

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:
 
Click on any of the links above to learn about treating the specific side effects of chemotherapy listed above.
 
(Chemotherapy Side Effects Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;