Chemotherapy is the use of any drug to treat any disease. As well as killing cancer cells, chemotherapy can damage some healthy cells in your body, such as blood cells, skin cells and cells in the stomach. Other side effects may be long term or may start after treatment. Some of the most common side effects of chemotherapy affect digestion. Managing treatment side effects because many healthy systems in the body also rely on fastgrowing cells, cancer treatment can result in collateral damage to healthy cells and tissue. When chemotherapy damages normal cells, this causes side effects.
Side effects are problems caused by cancer treatment. Explains side effects and other problems that may result from chemotherapy. It covers basic information about chemotherapy, what patients can expect, side effects you may have during chemotherapy, tips for managing side effects, and questions to ask the doctor or nurse. Mesothelioma chemotherapy treatment and side effects. Cancer treatment side effects cancer support community. Managing chemotherapy side effects cancer council nsw. Getting oral or topical chemotherapy american cancer society.
Unwanted side effects can intensify the disruption in your life even further. It includes facts about chemotherapy and its side effects and also highlights. Though chemotherapy is an effective way to treat many types of cancer, chemotherapy treatment also carries a risk of side effects. Surgery and radiation therapy remove, kill, or damage cancer. But it can also affect healthy cells that grow quickly. This journal can be used for after chemotherapy, after chemotherapy treatment, for recording the after effects of chemotherapy. Doru paul, md, is boardcertified in internal medicine, medical oncology, and hematology. Cancer cells tend to grow fast, and chemo drugs kill fastgrowing cells. As newer types of cancer treatment are developed, such as immunotherapy, doctors may find that these treatments also cause late effects in cancer survivors. Chemotherapy chemo is treatment with anti cancer drugs that may be injected into a vein or taken by mouth. Hair loss is often one of the more frustrating side effects of chemotherapy and cancer treatment. There are some common side effects that usually go away once treatment is over.
An overview of cancer treatment modalities intechopen. Get ready for possible side effects of chemotherapy mayo. At cancer treatment centers of america ctca, we work closely with our patients to meet your individual needs before, during and after chemotherapy treatment. Here are some of the most commonly experienced oral effects of cancer treatment and what can be done to manage them or make you more comfortable if any of them happens to you. These side effects can happen months or years after treatment. More specifically, this therapy is administered to destruct cancer cells. The following are the most common side effects that people tend to experience with chemotherapy. For example, some people may experience one or more of the following. Chemotherapy is designed to kill fastgrowing cancer cells. The ones you have and how they make you feel will depend on how healthy you are before treatment. It is one of the best cancer journals around to monitor any type of cancer e. Delirium may be mistaken for depression or dementia.
Late effects of cancer treatment can come from any of the main types of cancer treatment. A few of the drugs can be given by mouth, but most are. Some occur as soon as treatment begins, while others hit weeks later because of the cumulative effects of chemo. Cancer, treatment, side effects, information, resources. Hair loss is perhaps the most infamous side effect of chemo treatments. Relief from the side effects of treatment can come naturally.
There are more than 100 different chemotherapy drugs. Side effects of chemotherapy will depend on a variety of factors such as the kinds of drugs that are being administered, the amount of medications used and the individual response to the medications. Your cancer care team may not be able to tell you what side effects youll have, but they can tell you what to watch for. Cure cancer when chemotherapy destroys cancer cells to the point that your doctor can no longer detect them in your body and they will not grow back. An undesirable consequence of chemotherapy affecting your body not related to your cancer is referred to as a complication of treatment, or a side effect. Helps reduce at least two side effects from treatment.
Understanding and managing chemotherapy side effects cancercare. Jan 27, 2020 lisa fayed is a freelance medical writer, cancer educator and patient advocate. They often hear about how terrible chemotherapy side. It covers basic information about chemotherapy, what patients can expect, side effects you may have during chemotherapy, tips for managing side effects. However, it may also include some antibiotics along with other medications for treating severe infection or illness. Find out more about the general side effects of chemotherapy drugs. Managing treatment side effects lungevity foundation. Surgery, radiationbased surgical knives, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.
Chemotherapy and side effects chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. Bleeding and bruising thrombocytopenia constipation. Evaluating and treating late effects is an important part of cancer survivorship care. Your doctor or nurse will tell you about specific side effects of your. Sexual health issues in men and cancer treatment side. Chemotherapy or chemo and radiation therapy are the two most common types of cancer treatment. Because everyone is different, its hard to know what your particular experience will be like.
In cancer patients, it may be caused by medicine, dehydration, or happen at the end of life. The cancer society has an information sheet, coping with the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Immunotherapy can cause side effects, many of which happen when the immune system that has been revvedup to act against the cancer also acts against healthy cells and tissues in the body. Tell your healthcare team if you have these side effects or others you think might be from chemotherapy. For some people chemotherapy can cause long term changes in the body months or years after treatment.
Cancer happens when cells divide and multiply much faster than most normal cells. What are some other side effects of chemotherapy to treat cancer. Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer with drugs that can destroy cancer cells by impeding their growth and reproduction. When enough collateral damage builds up, you are faced with unwanted side effects. Symptoms may include changes in thinking and sleeping. This text explains what goals chemotherapy can have, how it is done, what its side effects are and what can be done against these side effects. Chemo drugs kill fastgrowing cells, but because these drugs travel throughout the body, they can affect normal, healthy cells that are fastgrowing, too. Side effects of chemotherapy and radiation for parents.
Some chemotherapy side effects are mild and treatable, while others can cause serious complications. This page tells you about the side effects that they may cause. Order free national cancer institute publications nci. Sometimes, chemotherapy causes longterm side effects that dont go away. Chemotherapy research results to protect you from chemo side effects. Chemotherapy treatment is planned by a cancer doctor who will explain the aims of the treatment and possible side effects. When hair falls out, it can affect a persons selfimage and quality of life. This book is an essential guide to enhance your care of patients with cancer. Being well informed can help you and your healthcare team to create a plan to manage, or even prevent, some side effects of cancer treatment. Dry mouth as a side effect of cancer treatments dry mouth, which your oncologist may refer to as xerostomia, occurs when the. Ask questions and work with your health care team to prepare for chemotherapy so that you know what side effects to expect and how to manage them. They tend to gradually improve once treatment stops and the normal, healthy cells recover. Side effects of chemotherapy cancer in general cancer.
You may worry about the side effects of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can cause longterm side effects to the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Some common side effects from chemotherapy are fatigue, nausea, vomiting, decreased blood cell counts, hair loss, mouth sores, and pain. Youll usually have several treatment sessions, which will typically be spread over the course of a few months.
Your doctor will take into account your age and general health in determining which chemotherapy drugs or drug combinations may work best for you and what side effects you may or may not. Side effects of chemotherapy cancer council victoria. While chemotherapy can be quite effective in treating certain cancers, chemotherapy. Hearing loss from high doses of chemotherapy, especially drugs like cisplatin multiple brand names. Surgery and radiation therapy remove, kill, or damage cancer cells in a certain area, but chemo can work throughout the whole body. Side effects of chemotherapy will depend mainly on the type of drug, the dose, how its given and your overall health. Dry mouth and mouth sores that form on the tongue, lips, gums, or in the throat can make it difficult to chew and swallow. Treatment for breast cancer such as chemotherapy or hormonal blockers may also have side effects that can produce early menopause, vaginal dryness and a diminished desire for intimacy. Different cells and tissues in the body cope differently with chemotherapy.
Side effects of chemotherapy canadian cancer society. Chemotherapy side effects and prevention verywell health. Positive vibes fight cancer and choose to get well. Jun 12, 2018 chemotherapy can sometimes cause longlasting side effects, like infertility and nerve damage. Cancer therapies like chemotherapy and radiation can be lifeextending and lifesaving. As newer types of cancer treatment are developed, such as immunotherapy, doctors may find that these treatments also cause late effects in cancer. The side effects of systemic chemotherapy used to treat cancer are often. Mar 25, 2020 the healthy cells in your body can repair the damage that chemotherapy causes your hair will grow back and your energy levels will rise. Options, side effects, and more chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses powerful drugs to kill cancerous cells. Get ready for possible side effects of chemotherapy mayo clinic.
Feb 09, 2012 chemotherapy for cancer treatment uses drugs called cytostatics, which aim to stop cancer cells from continuing to divide uncontrollably. Besides surgery and radiation, chemotherapies are commonly used to treat cancer. Your doctor will talk with you about side effects you may have based on your treatments. If youre about to start your cancer treatment, find out what steps you can take to feel better if you end up having some of these side effects.
This includes both traditional therapies such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, newer forms of treatment including information on clinical trials, and complementary and alternative therapies. Chemotherapy selfhelp series, book 4 by joyce zborower m. It is a systemic treatment, meaning that the drugs affect cancerous cells throughout the body and prevents them from spreading. The side effects of any form of chemo vary from drug to drug and from person to person. There are twelve calming images to colour in using colouring pencils at the back of this book as a bonus, plus 100 blank pages for journalling. Not all people with nonsmall cell lung cancer nsclc will need chemo, but depending on the cancer s stage and other factors, chemo. Depending on your type of cancer and how advanced it is, chemotherapy can. Anemia low red blood cell counts nausea and vomiting. How do these compare with the side effects of other treatments. For many people, side effects from chemotherapy lessen or go away completely after chemotherapy is stopped. If you feel upset or anxious about how long treatment is taking or the impact of side effects. Fortunately, every year, great strides are made towards conquering cancer and managing treatment side effects. Chemotherapy works by stopping or slowing the growth of cancer cells, which grow and divide quickly. Uncontrolled cell growth can lead to masses of cancer cells called tumors, or to a situation where healthy cells are crowded out and can no longer do their jobs efficiently what are side effects.
Eases the side effects of chemotherapy, such as nausea and vomiting, if you have colorectal cancer. For example you can record mood, side effects, sugar levels if diabetic and temperature. Though less common, constipation also can be a side effect of chemotherapy. This chemotherapy journal will enable you to accurately document and regularly monitor how you are feeling. The side effects you may have from chemotherapy depend on the regimen youre on, the amount of medicine youre getting, the length of treatment, and your. Often, side effects get better or go away after chemotherapy is over. What are some of the chemotherapy drugs and their potential side effects. The goal of chemotherapy is to eliminate the cancer.
Chemotherapy is designed to kill fastgrowing cancer. Chemotherapy for cancer treatment uses drugs called cytostatics, which aim to stop cancer cells from. These may include damage to your heart, lungs, nerve endings, kidneys, or reproductive organs. Healthy cells can also be affected by chemotherapy treatments. The oncology nursing society has been your goto resource for evidencebased. The side effects of chemotherapy can be hard on a mesothelioma patient, especially considering that most people are diagnosed with the cancer at an older age. If side effects change your appearance and selfesteem, consider registering for a free look good feel better workshop. Many people who have had cancer treatment have a risk of developing longterm side effects.
Mouth, tongue, and throat problems such as sores and pain with swallowing. Chemotherapy works by killing rapidly dividing cancer cells. Treatments and side effects in this section youll find general information about the types of treatments used against cancer. Because chemotherapy drugs often cant distinguish between rapidly dividing cancer cells and rapidly dividing healthy cells, they may cause side effects at the same time that theyre fighting your cancer. Although delirium can happen at the end of life, many episodes of.
The ones you have and how they make you feel will depend on how healthy you are before treatment, your type of. The book gives readers a detailed look into the cancer treatment process. Managing the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Managing chemotherapy side effects everyday health. Side effects of cancer treatment national cancer institute. Having a dpd deficiency could make the side effects of the chemotherapy drugs fluorouracil and capecitabine worse. Most side effects are shortterm and can be managed. Many chemotherapy drugs affect hair follicles and can cause hair loss alopecia within a few weeks of the first treatment. Contact your local cancer society or phone the cancer information helpline 0800 cancer. Aug 05, 2019 chemotherapy can destroy cancer cells in the body, but it can also destroy healthy cells, which can lead to side effects such as nausea, fatigue, hair loss, and more. Nov 17, 2017 most chemotherapy side effects are temporary and disappear once your treatment is over. It can stop the growth of a tumor in the breast and kill cancer cells that have spread to other parts of the body.
Telling your team about side effects as soon as they happen can help make sure that they dont get too bad. Delirium is a confused mental state that includes changes in awareness, thinking, judgment, sleeping patterns, as well as behavior. About side effects of chemotherapy cancer in general. Longerlasting side effects can include sexual and fertility problems and nerve damage. Hair loss can occur anywhere on the body, from eyebrows and eyelashes to your legs. There are also other drugs that are used to treat cancer in different ways, including targeted therapy, hormone therapy, and immunotherapy. Side effects of immunotherapy national cancer institute. This journal with a pretty floral design cover, front and back, can be used for after chemotherapy treatment,for recording the after effects of chemotherapy. This includes cancer cells and normal cells, such as the new blood cells in the bone marrow or the cells in the mouth, stomach, skin, hair and reproductive organs. Fever, nausea feeling sick, which is available on our website.
This book is a guide you can refer to throughout your chemotherapy treatment. Your nurse will put the needle in at the start of each treatment and remove it when treatment. Support for people with cancer chemotherapy and you is a booklet for people who are undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. Know what kinds of side effects to expect and how to cope with them. Talking with your doctor about products that can reduce symptoms of dryness or discomfort can help. Types of late effectsnearly any cancer treatment can cause late effects. Delirium and cancer treatment side effects national. Well also discuss the possible side effects of these treatments. People with cancer are often concerned with what chemotherapy side effects are going to occur during their treatment.
Read about what to expect, preparation tips, and side effects. Side effects associated with traditional methods of cancer treatment. Both receiving a cancer diagnosis and undergoing cancer treatment is a challenge for both you and your loved ones. These drugs travel through the bloodstream and reach most parts of the body. Side effects wear off between weeks and months in most patients, according to the american cancer society. Talk to your cancer doctor about the risks of your treatment plan and how you can avoid them. Chemotherapy or chemo is a type of cancer treatment that uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. Sometimes, chemotherapy causes longterm side effects. Chemotherapy is a widely used treatment for cancer. These books are available from nci the national cancer institute. The information below describes side effects that might be caused by traditional or standard chemotherapy. Hair grows back within three to six months after treatment, according to the mayo clinic.
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