Chemotherapy can cure cancer because it kills cells. It kills cancer cells and it can kill normal cells. Killing normal cells can cause some unpleasant side effects. The side effects vary from one drug to another for many reasons. Not all chemo drugs cause hair loss, for example.
Common side effects of chemotherapy
Low blood counts causes an increased possibility of developing infection or anemia
Tiredness
Mouth soreness
Nausea, vomiting
Loss of appetite
Constipation or diarrhea
Hair loss
Skin changes or reactions
Pain or nerve changes
Changes in fertility and sexuality
Note that each chemotherapy agent or regimen has some side effects that are specific to it. Also, the actual side effects may vary a great deal from patient to patient.
Lasting effects of chemotherapy
The good news about these side effects is that there are ways to ease most of the symptoms. Sometimes, however, certain side effects can have long lasting or permanent effects. For example, certain chemotherapy drugs can result in infertility or the inability to father a child which may be permanent. Certain options such as sperm banking may be available. Please talk to your doctor or nurse about any concerns before starting chemotherapy.
The contents of this website are for information purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not rely on the information provided for medical decision making and should direct all questions regarding medical matters to their physician or other health care provider. Use of this information does not create an express or implied physician-patient relationship.