Chemotherapy affects this process, so you might have side effects from having too few blood cells. Usually the number of blood cells return to normal after chemotherapy is complete. But during treatment, low numbers of blood cells can cause problems and must be watched closely.
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What are the dangers of chemotherapy?
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How bad is chemotherapy?
How Chemotherapy Affects Your Body After Treatment
- Brain. If you feel a little foggy when your treatment is done, you might have a touch of " chemo brain ." You may notice that you find it hard ...
- Heart. Certain chemo drugs can damage cells in your heart. ...
- Hair. If you lose some or all of your hair after chemo, it will typically start to grow back in a month or two.
- Weight. ...
What are the most common side effects of chemotherapy?
What are the side effects of chemotherapy?
- Infection and a weakened immune system. Cancer and the treatment of it can weaken the immune system. ...
- Bruising and bleeding more easily. Chemotherapy can cause a person to bruise or bleed more easily. ...
- Hair loss. ...
- Nausea and vomiting. ...
- Neuropathy. ...
- Constipation and diarrhea. ...
- Rash. ...
- Mouth sores. ...
- Breathing problems. ...
- Pain. ...
What does chemotherapy really feel like?
Patients often feel lightheaded, sleepy or numbed as these drugs function much like sedatives. Many take advantage of this effect to sleep through the remaining hours of drug delivery. Many patients experience a low-level warmth or mild burning sensation during chemotherapy.
What is the major problem with chemotherapy?
Mouth, tongue, and throat problems such as sores and pain with swallowing. Peripheral neuropathy or other nerve problems, such as numbness, tingling, and pain. Skin and nail changes such as dry skin and color change. Urine and bladder changes and kidney problems.
What is a disadvantage to chemotherapy?
Chemo Side Effects Changes in memory and concentration (chemo brain) Fatigue. Pain. Nausea and vomiting. Diarrhea and/or constipation.
What is the most common complication of chemotherapy that patients experience?
Tiredness (fatigue) is one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy. Many people having treatment feel tired a lot of the time or get tired very easily doing everyday tasks.
What are the flaws with using chemotherapy and radiation as treatments?
Chemotherapy drugs and radiation can destroy all types of healthy blood cells and harm the body's production of new ones. Low levels of red blood cells (the cells that carry oxygen) can lead to anemia, which causes fatigue, paleness, shortness of breath, and a fast heartbeat.
What is the most life threatening side effect of chemotherapy?
I answer this question for them (depends on the type of chemotherapy), but then start talking about a more serious side effect called neutropenia. It's one that they might not know to ask about. Neutropenia, pronounced noo-troh-PEE-nee-uh, is a low white blood cell count.
What are the long term side effects of chemotherapy?
What Are the Long-Term Side Effects of Chemotherapy?Cognitive difficulties.Hearing problems.Heart problems.Increased risk of blood cancers.Lung problems.Nerve damage.Reproductive changes.Duration.
When do side effects of chemo start?
Nausea and vomiting can start within the first few hours after chemotherapy drugs are given and usually last about 24 hours. However, nausea and vomiting may start more than 24 hours after treatment and last several days (called delayed nausea and vomiting).
When is chemo not recommended?
Your oncologist may recommend avoiding chemotherapy if your body is not healthy enough to withstand chemotherapy or if there is a more effective treatment available.
What are the disadvantages of radiation therapy?
What are the disadvantages? Radiotherapy can cause side effects, including tiredness, sickness and runny poo (diarrhoea). If you have chemoradiotherapy, you may get side effects from the chemotherapy.
What are the negative effects of radiation therapy?
Specific side effects of radiation therapy that affect parts of the bodyHeadaches.Hair loss.Nausea.Vomiting.Extreme tiredness (fatigue)Hearing loss.Skin and scalp changes.Trouble with memory and speech.More items...•
What are 5 harmful effects of radiation?
Here are a few common health effects or harmful effects of radiation on the human body.Hair. Loss of hair fall occurs when exposure to radiation is higher than 200 rems.Heart and Brain. Intense exposure to radiation from 1000 to 5000 rems will affect the functioning of the heart. ... Thyroid. ... Blood System. ... Reproductive Tract.
What are the side effects of chemo?
Chemotherapy has a bad reputation for terrible side effects, for a good reason. For many people, the experience of undergoing chemo is worse than the cancer itself. The American Cancer Society lists the potential side effects from chemo: 1 Fatigue 2 Hair loss 3 Easy bruising and bleeding 4 Infection 5 Anemia (low red blood cell counts) 6 Nausea and vomiting 7 Appetite changes 8 Constipation 9 Diarrhea 10 Mouth, tongue, and throat problems such as sores and pain with swallowing 11 Nerve and muscle problems such as numbness, tingling, and pain 12 Skin and nail changes such as dry skin and color change 13 Urine and bladder changes and kidney problems 14 Weight changes 15 Chemo brain, which can affect concentration and focus 16 Mood changes 17 Changes in libido and sexual function 18 Fertility problems
How does chemo work?
Chemotherapy works by attacking all rapidly reproducing stem cells in the body: Standard chemo does not differentiate between healthy cells and cancerous ones. Therefore, standard chemo causes significant side effects that are often worse than the cancer itself. Standard chemotherapy can actually cause recurrence of the cancer because it destroys ...
How long does chemo last?
In addition to needing to endure the short-term side effects of chemotherapy – which can last upwards of years – cancer patients who undergo chemo must also deal with long-term ramifications. Moreover, "sometimes the side effects can last a lifetime, such as when chemo causes long-term damage to the heart, lungs, kidneys, or reproductive organs.".
Does chemotherapy cause cancer?
Standard chemotherapy can actually cause recurrence of the cancer because it destroys the body so much. Chemo can cause harmful side effects such as hair loss, nausea, and vomiting. Standard chemo causes extreme damage to your healthy cells. If the treatment doesn’t manage to kill enough of the cancerous cells in time, ...
Is chemo bad for you?
Chemotherapy has a bad reputation for terrible side effects, for a good reason. For many people, the experience of undergoing chemo is worse than the cancer itself. The American Cancer Society lists the potential side effects from chemo: Fatigue. Hair loss.
Is targeted radiation better than chemotherapy?
Science has developed targeted chemotherapy and targeted radiation, which are much more effective than standard forms of chemotherapy and radiation. These targeted cancer therapies attack only the cancerous cells in your body, leaving your healthy cells to flourish.
Can cancer show up years later?
Delayed side effects, like a recurrence of cancer, can also show up years later. Needless to say, many cancer patients want to do anything they can to avoid undergoing chemotherapy – even if it means a difference of life and death.
Why is chemotherapy important?
It is an important part of cancer treatment. Doctors and scientists work constantly to develop drugs, drug combinations, and ways of giving treatment with fewer side effects. Many types of chemotherapy are easier to tolerate than they were a few years ago.
How long does it take for a person to have trouble with memory after chemotherapy?
And some people have trouble with thinking, concentrating, and memory for months or years after treatment. Nervous system changes can develop after treatment. Children who had chemotherapy may develop side effects that happen months or years after treatment. These are called late effects.
How long does it take for nerve damage to go away from chemo?
However, nerve damage often gets worse with each dose. Sometimes the drug causing the nerve damage has to be stopped. It can take months or years for nerve damage from chemotherapy to improve or go away. In some people, it never completely goes away. Treatment of pain often differs based on what is causing it.
Can chemo cause constipation?
Chemotherapy can cause constipation. This means not having a bowel movement often enough or having difficult bowel movements. Other medicines, such as pain medication, can also cause constipation. You can lower your risk of constipation by drinking enough fluids, eating balanced meals, and getting enough exercise.
Does chemotherapy affect the heart?
Most side effects go away after treatment. But some continue, come back, or develop later. For example, some types of chemotherapy may cause permanent damage to the heart, lung, liver, kidneys, or reproductive system.
Does chemotherapy make blood cells?
It makes new blood cells. Chemotherapy affects this process, so you might have side effects from having too few blood cells. Usually the number of blood cells return to normal after chemotherapy is complete. But during treatment, low numbers of blood cells can cause problems and must be watched closely.
Does chemotherapy cause side effects?
Chemotherapy treats many types of cancer effectively. But like other treatments, it often causes side effects. The side effects of chemotherapy are different for each person. They depend on the type of cancer, location, drugs and dose, and your general health.
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 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.
What to do if you have anemia?
If your anemiais severe, you could need a blood transfusion. In some cases, your doctor might prescribe drugs that trigger your body to make more red blood cells. Foods rich in iron such as spinach, red meat, and beans might also help boost your energy. Infection.
Does chemotherapy cause stomach pain?
Headaches, muscle pain, stomach pain, and other discomfort are another common side effect of chemotherapy . It might be brief or last a long time. It can also come and go. This pain can add to what is already a stressful time. Tell your doctor about what you’re feeling and whether anything makes it better or worse.
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.
Can you have chemotherapy before surgery?
You may have chemotherapy before surgery (neoadjuvant) to shrink the tumor or chemotherapy or after surgery (adjuvant) to kill any cancer that may remain. Studies show that many cancers respond well to a low-dose chemotherapy combined with radiation therapy in a regimen called chemoradiation. Previous Section Next Section.
Is chemotherapy a treatment for cancer?
Chemotherapy is a treatment option for many cancers. It may be recommended for early stage cancers, metastatic cancers, and if cancer recurs. Our cancer care teams commonly recommend chemotherapy in addition to surgery, radiation therapy, and other drugs. You may have chemotherapy before surgery ...
How does chemotherapy work?
Chemotherapy works by stopping or slowing the growth of cancer cells, which grow and divide quickly. Chemotherapy is used to: Chemotherapy can be used to cure cancer, lessen the chance it will return, or stop or slow its growth. Chemotherapy can be used to shrink tumors that are causing pain and other problems.
How does chemo work?
Chemotherapy to Treat Cancer. Chemotherapy works against cancer by killing fast-growing cancer cells. Chemotherapy (also called chemo) is a type of cancer treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells.
What is the term for a tumor that is smaller before surgery?
Make a tumor smaller before surgery or radiation therapy. This is called neoadjuvant chemotherapy . Destroy cancer cells that may remain after treatment with surgery or radiation therapy. This is called adjuvant chemotherapy. Help other treatments work better.
How long can a catheter be left in place for chemo?
This needle can be left in place for chemotherapy treatments that are given for longer than one day. Be sure to watch for signs of infection around your port.
What is the treatment for cancer?
Who Receives Chemotherapy . Chemotherapy is used to treat many types of cancer. For some people, chemotherapy may be the only treatment you receive. But most often, you will have chemotherapy and other cancer treatments.
Where do you put a catheter in a chemo patient?
A catheter is a thin, soft tube. A doctor or nurse places one end of the catheter in a large vein, often in your chest area. The other end of the catheter stays outside your body. Most catheters stay in place until you have finished your chemotherapy treatments.
How long is a cycle of chemotherapy?
For instance, you might receive chemotherapy every day for 1 week followed by 3 weeks with no chemotherapy. These 4 weeks make up one cycle. The rest period gives your body a chance to recover and build new healthy cells.
What is the pain caused by chemotherapy?
Pain is a potential side effect of chemotherapy. The pain caused by chemotherapy is often described as a burning, numb, tingling, or shooting sensation. It tends to occur in the hands and feet. This is called neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain is the result of damage to the nerves caused by chemotherapy drugs or, sometimes, the cancer itself.
What to expect from chemotherapy?
What to Expect. Chemotherapy is a common treatment for cancer. It involves the use of powerful drugs to stop cancer cells from growing and spreading. Although the treatment itself isn’t usually uncomfortable, pain is sometimes a side effect. Side effects can depend on the type of cancer you have, your overall health, ...
How to keep track of pain after cancer treatment?
Keep in mind that your pain levels may fluctuate throughout your treatment. Many cancer treatment resources recommend keeping a record of when and where you feel pain, what it feels like, and how strong it is. Speak with your healthcare team about how pain affects your day-to-day activities.
Can you get chemotherapy via injections?
Chemotherapy via injections. In other cases, chemotherapy drugs are delivered via injections. The pain from a chemotherapy injection is comparable to the pain from any other injection, such as a vaccine.
Is chemotherapy a side effect?
Westend61/Offset Images. Chemotherapy is a common treatment for cancer. It involves the use of powerful drugs to stop cancer cells from growing and spreading. Although the treatment itself isn’t usually uncomfortable, pain is sometimes a side effect. Side effects can depend on the type of cancer you have, your overall health, ...
Does chemotherapy go away?
It depends on the individual and the type of drug administered. Most side effects of chemotherapy start during treatment and go away once you finish treatment. However, certain changes can be permanent.
Is chemotherapy painful?
While this treatment may cause discomfort, it isn’t typically painful. Pain caused by nerve damage is a potential short-term effect of chemotherapy.
1. Foods that affect CYP enzymes
Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes are molecules that promote the metabolism and absorption of chemotherapy drugs into the blood.
2. Overexertion
Some of the common effects of chemotherapy include fatigue, nausea, and mood changes.
4. Smoking
A person should avoid smoking during chemotherapy, as tobacco and cigarette smoke can lead to unwanted effects.
5. Drinking alcohol
Alcohol, even in small amounts, can worsen the side effects of chemotherapy, such as a dry and sore mouth.
6. Undercooked or raw food
Undercooked and raw food may contain infection-causing germs. Because cancer and chemotherapy weaken the body’s immune system, a person undergoing chemotherapy may find it harder to fight such infections.
7. Spicy and acidic food
Chemotherapy can cause sores to form in the mouth. This is because treatment also affects rapidly-growing cells in the lining of the mouth and lips, not just the cancer cells.
8. Hard food
A person undergoing chemotherapy who has mouth sores may want to avoid hard and sharp foods that may be difficult to chew and swallow or that may cause more pain in the mouth. These include: