what are some the side effects for treatment

Other side effects of cancer treatment include the following:

• Bleeding and bruising.
• Bone density loss.
• Edema (swelling)
• Heart damage.
• Lymphedema (lymphatic system blockage)
• Fertility issues.
• Memory or concentration problems, or delirium.
• Nerve problems.
• Sexual health issues.
• Sleep disturbances and insomnia.

Full Answer

Why does chemo make you sick?

You may experience:

• dry mouth, or xerostomia
• mouth sores that form on the tongue or gums, making you more susceptible to infection
• bleeding
• swelling
• cavities
• a metallic or chemical taste
• difficulty chewing and swallowing

How does chemotherapy affect your body after treatment?

The Effects of Chemotherapy on Your Body

• Circulatory and immune systems. ...
• Nervous and muscular systems. ...
• Digestive system. ...
• Integumentary system (skin, hair, and nails) Hair loss is perhaps the most infamous side effect of chemo treatments. ...
• Sexual and reproductive system. ...

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What are the side effects of chemotherapy?

References

1. Sung, H. et al. Global cancer statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. CA Cancer J. ...
2. Miller, K. D. et al. Cancer treatment and survivorship statistics, 2019. ...
3. Mayo, S. J. et al. ...
4. Schagen, S. B. et al. ...
5. Noll, K. R. et al. ...
6. Matsos, A. & Johnston, I. N. ...

When do chemo side effects kick in?

• Fatigue – This of course was the first side-effect I experienced. ...
• Metallic Taste – For a few days after chemo I had a light metallic taste in my mouth. ...
• Dizziness – The days following chemo I would experience dizziness if I moved around too fast. ...
• Overwhelming Hunger – For a few days I experienced overwhelming hunger. ...

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Do all treatments have side effects?

All medicines can cause side effects, including prescription, over-the-counter and complementary medicines. Complementary medicines include herbal preparations, vitamins, and some products dispensed by naturopaths and other practitioners of complementary medicine.

What are common side effects?

Common side effects include upset stomach, dry mouth, and drowsiness. A side effect is considered serious if the result is: death; life-threatening; hospitalization; disability or permanent damage; or exposure prior to conception or during pregnancy caused birth defect.

What are 3 side effects of cancer treatments?

Side Effects of Cancer TreatmentAnemia.Appetite Loss.Bleeding and Bruising (Thrombocytopenia)Constipation.Delirium.Diarrhea.Edema (Swelling)Fatigue.More items...

What are the main side effects of cancer treatment?

Some of the most common side effects of cancer and its treatment include pain and fatigue, anemia, mouth problems, nausea/weight change/dietary issues, and hair, skin and nail problems. Pain. The term “pain” describes a broad category of types of symptoms and it is common to all cancers and cancer treatments.

What are 5 side effects of drugs?

Common minor side effects of prescription drugs:Diarrhea.Dizziness.Drowsiness.Fatigue.Heart issues (palpitations, irregular heartbeats)Hives.Nausea and vomiting.Rash.More items...

What causes side effects in medicine?

What causes an adverse effect?dosage, which may need adjusting.an individual reaction to an ingredient in the drug.a drug killing one type of unwanted cell but also destroying healthy cells.interactions between drugs.

What are side effects of chemo?

Here's a list of many of the common side effects, but it's unlikely you'll have all of these.Tiredness. Tiredness (fatigue) is one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy. ... Feeling and being sick. ... Hair loss. ... Infections. ... Anaemia. ... Bruising and bleeding. ... Sore mouth. ... Loss of appetite.More items...

What happens after cancer treatment?

When treatment ends, you may expect life to return to the way it was before you were diagnosed with cancer. But it can take time to recover. You may have permanent scars on your body, or you may not be able to do some things you once did easily. Or you may even have emotional scars from going through so much.

What are effects of chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy can cause fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, bowel issues such as constipation or diarrhoea, hair loss, mouth sores, skin and nail problems. You may have trouble concentrating or remembering things. There can also be nerve and muscle effects and hearing changes.

How does cancer treatment work?

Chemotherapy damages the genes inside the nucleus of cells. Some drugs damage cells at the point of splitting. Some damage the cells while they're making copies of all their genes before they split. Chemotherapy is much less likely to damage cells that are at rest, such as most normal cells.

What are the harmful effects of cancer?

Cancer and its treatment can cause several complications, including:Pain. Pain can be caused by cancer or by cancer treatment, though not all cancer is painful. ... Fatigue. ... Difficulty breathing. ... Nausea. ... Diarrhea or constipation. ... Weight loss. ... Chemical changes in your body. ... Brain and nervous system problems.More items...•

How can we reduce the side effects of cancer treatment?

How to Manage the Side Effects of ChemotherapyCounter Chemo-Induced Fatigue With Exercise. ... Take Medication to Quell Nausea and Vomiting. ... Consider Using a Cooling Cap to Minimize Hair Loss. ... Beat Mouth Sores With Ice Chips. ... Wash Your Hands Often to Avoid Infection. ... Tell Your Doctor About Tingling in Your Hands or Feet.

What are the side effects of cancer treatment?

What are the most common side effects of cancer treatments? Some of the most common side effects of cancer and its treatment include pain and fatigue, anemia, mouth problems, nausea/weight change/dietary issues, and hair, skin and nail problems. Pain.

What is cancer side effect?

Any problem that affects your healthy tissue and organs and arises as a result of cancer treatment is called a cancer treatment side effect. Side effects can vary from person to person and from treatment to treatment, to the extent that two people receiving the same treatment may experience very different side effects.

What are the symptoms of cancer?

Anemia develops when there aren’t sufficient red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body. This can cause dizziness, weakness, faintness and racing of the heart.

What is the treatment for cancer?

Treatment options include pain medication and other therapies like acupuncture, massage therapy and physical therapy. Fatigue. Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a severe form of fatigue often described by people with cancer as an overwhelming tiredness, exhaustion and weakness that doesn’t go away with sleep and rest.

What are the options for a syringe?

If, however, the treatments are working well, your doctor may suggest various treatments to manage your side effects, such as the following: For pain: Options include pain medications, physical activity and acupuncture.

How long do side effects of cancer last?

But some people experience severe side effects that last for months or even years after treatment is completed. If you are experiencing any side effects from your cancer treatment, it’s important to discuss them with your doctor. Treatment of side effects is an important part of cancer care and your quality of life.

Does radiation cause hair loss?

Radiation therapy can bring hair loss (sometimes called alopecia) to the part of the body receiving radiation, while chemotherapy can lead to loss of hair on the head and other parts of the body. Different chemotherapy drugs can cause different types of hair loss, or no hair loss at all.

What is a side effect of a drug?

A side effect is usually regarded as an undesirable secondary effect which occurs in addition to the desired therapeutic effect of a drug or medication.

How to report side effects of a drug?

Drug Side Effects. Please note: Many side effects of medications may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. Side effects can be reported to the FDA online at www.fda.gov/safety or call 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088).

Can side effects be adjusted?

Side effects may also lead to non-compliance with prescribed treatment. When side effects of a drug or medication are severe, the dosage may be adjusted or a second medication may be prescribed. Lifestyle or dietary changes may also help to minimize side effects.

What are the side effects of chemo?

Its side effects depend on the type of chemo drug involved, but infections, easy bruising or bleeding, and hair loss are some of the more common ones. Other common side effects of chemotherapy include: nausea and vomiting. fatigue. neuropathy, or pain caused by nerve damage. constipation.

Why does chemotherapy weaken the immune system?

Infection and a weakened immune system. Cancer and the treatment of it can weaken the immune system. Because chemotherapy kills healthy immune cells, it can make a person more vulnerable to infection. And because the immune system is weakened, any infections may last longer than usual.

Can chemo cause rashes?

Chemotherapy can alter the immune system in ways that cause rashes and other skin changes. The drugs can also trigger skin changes directly. Severe rashes can cause painful, intense itching. If a person scratches until their skin bleeds, there is a risk of infection.

Is chemotherapy good for cancer?

Chemotherapy can be an effective treatment for cancer, but it can also have adverse effects. Before starting the treatment, speak with the doctor about which side effects are most likely, how long they might last, and how severe they might be. If side effects occur, the cancer care team may be able to help manage them.

Can chemotherapy cause a bruise?

Chemotherapy can cause a person to bruise or bleed more easily. Many people having chemotherapy experience this side effect. Bleeding more heavily than usual can be dangerous. It is a good idea to take precautions, such as wearing gloves when gardening or cutting food.

Does chemotherapy kill cancer cells?

Chemotherapy kills regular cells , as well as cancer cells, and this is why side effects occur. Many people experience these adverse effects, but some people have few or none. Below, we explore 10 of the more common side effects of chemotherapy. 1.

Does chemotherapy cause hair to fall out?

Chemotherapy can damage hair follicles, causing the hair to weaken, become brittle, and fall out. Any hair that regrows may be of a different texture or color. This usually continues until the treatment ends, after which hair almost always regrows.

Why do chemo drugs have side effects?

The medicines get into the bloodstream and circulate through the entire body. Side effects occur because the medicines affect both cancerous and non-cancerous cells . Side effects can occur when healthy cells are damaged. Chemotherapy is done in repeated cycles to allow the body to recover between doses.

How long does it take for side effects to go away after a syringe?

Side effects usually begin to improve or go away as normal tissues repair themselves. This may start about three weeks after the treatment.

What is the most common cancer treatment?

Live. •. The most common cancer treatments today are surgery, chemotherapy and radiation . A cancer patient may receive one or a combination of these or other types of treatment. The type of treatment you receive depends on the type and stage of cancer.

How does cancer affect people?

Some cancers and treatments can result in cognitive changes that affect thinking, learning, processing or remembering information. These changes can affect many aspects of life such as the ability to read more

Can chemo cause nausea?

Many of the medicines interfere with the rapidly growing cells of the body. These cells may be in the stomach and intestinal lining, hair, skin, nails or bone marrow. Before chemo: Talk with your health care team about what side effects you might expect. Chemotherapy treatments can cause nausea and vomiting.

Can radiation damage normal cells?

Damage to normal cells or structures of the body can cause radiation side effects. The health care provider will try to limit radiation damage to those areas that are close to the tumor during treatment. Still, some healthy tissue and organs may be involved in an effort to be certain all of the cancer is treated.

Does chemotherapy harm an unborn child?

Chemotherapy can harm an un born child. Livestrong Fertility offers reproductive information, support and hope to cancer patients and survivors whose medical treatments present the risk of infertility. Livestrong Fertility may be able to help reduce fertility preservation costs.

How long does it take for chemo side effects to go away?

Most chemo side effects stop once treatment is over. Some might take months or years to go away. If the drugs damage your organs, the effects could be permanent. Talk with your doctor about the risks of side effects and how long you can expect them to last. Your medical team might be able to change your treatment or suggest things ...

What does it mean when you feel numb after chemo?

This condition is called peripheral neuropathy. It may get worse as your treatment goes on.

How to handle hair loss?

That means using mild shampoos, soft brushes, and no electric rollers, curling irons, dyes, or perms. Use moisturizing shampoo, conditioner, and cream on your hair before it falls out and later on your scalp.

How to control appetite?

Some tips to manage appetite changes include: Eat several small meals a day. Snackwhenever you feel hungry. Choose foods that are high in calories and proteinsuch as dried fruits, nuts, cheese, yogurt, eggs, cereal, ice cream, and nutrition shakes. Cut down on nausea by eating cold food.

How to fight fatigue from cancer?

Aside from taking medicines, you can practice these habits to fight fatigue: Don't try to do everything at once or by yourself. If your family or friends ask what they can do for you, get their help with shopping, cooking, or other chores.

Does chemotherapy affect cancer?

Chemotherapy Side Effects: Common Effects and Treatment. While chemotherapy fights your cancer, the drugs you take can affect how you feel. Learn the side effects you might face and how you can handle them. Skip to main content . Check Your Symptoms .

Can chemotherapy make you tired?

Some people feel just a little low in energy, while others feel wiped out. Depending on how tiredyou are, your doctor might give you medicines to treat other side effects that can make you feel tired, like depression, pain, and anemia.