Did you know that chemotherapy can cause a wide range of side effects, from fatigue to hair loss?
Chemotherapy is a common cancer treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells in the body. While chemotherapy can be effective, it also comes with a range of side effects that can affect patients physically and emotionally.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the common side effects of chemotherapy, why chemotherapy causes these side effects, and how to manage them using MedicoExpert’s Tumor board approach.
What Are The Side Effects of Chemotherapy?
The side effects of chemotherapy vary depending on the type of drugs used, the dosage, and the patient’s overall health.
The following are a few of the most typical adverse outcomes of chemotherapy:
– Fatigue
– Nausea and vomiting
– Loss of appetite
– Hair loss
– Anemia
– Infections
– Cognitive changes
– Mouth sores
– Neuropathy
– Diarrhea
– Skin reactions
– Constipation
– Changes in blood count
These side effects can range from mild to severe and can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks after treatment.
Why Does Chemotherapy Cause Side Effects?
Chemotherapy drugs are toxic to both cancer cells and healthy cells in the body. When healthy cells are affected, they can cause side effects such as those listed above.
Chemotherapy drugs can also affect the bone marrow, which is responsible for producing new blood cells in the body. This can lead to a decrease in the production of red and white blood cells, causing anemia or infections.
What Are The Effects Of Chemotherapy On The Different Parts Of The Body?
Chemotherapy can affect different parts of the body in different ways.
- Some chemotherapy drugs can cause heart damage, while others can cause lung damage.
- Chemotherapy can also affect the reproductive system, leading to infertility or early menopause in some women.
- Patients with certain diseases may be more susceptible to side effects such as hair loss, mouth sores, and cognitive changes.
- Muscle pain, joint pain, and tingling in the hands or feet can also be side effects of chemotherapy.
- Headaches, dizziness, and ringing in the ears are also common side effects.
- Loss of appetite can result in reduced food intake, absence of hunger, or a feeling of fullness after consuming minimal food quantities. If this persists during treatment, a decrease in weight and an inadequate supply of nutrients may occur. Additionally, muscle mass and strength may decline.
Can Side Effects Of Chemotherapy Be Treated?
Chemotherapy is a treatment method that either stops or slows down the growth and division of cancer cells. This is necessary because cancer cells tend to grow and divide rapidly. There are two main purposes for using chemotherapy.
- Treat cancer: Chemotherapy can have various goals such as curing cancer, reducing the likelihood of its recurrence, or inhibiting its growth.
- To alleviate cancer symptoms: Chemotherapy can be prescribed to reduce the size of tumors that may be causing discomfort and other complications.
Yes, many of the side effects of chemotherapy can be treated or managed.
Medications can be prescribed to help manage nausea and vomiting, and blood transfusions can help manage anemia.
MedicoExpert’s Tumor Board approach is a multidisciplinary approach that brings together a team of doctors to review each case. In this approach, doctors collaborate to formulate customized treatment plans for patients, which can reduce the chances of patients experiencing severe side effects, and increase the chances of a successful outcome.
MedicoExpert’s Tumor board approach integrates the expert opinion of healthcare providers to not only treat cancer effectively but also to manage or prevent side effects caused by chemotherapy.
What are the long-term side effects of chemotherapy?
“Late effects,” also known as long-term side effects, may occur after chemotherapy treatment is completed. These effects are specific to the individual, type of cancer, and chemotherapy drug used.
Long-term side effects of chemotherapy can include:
Cognitive Difficulties
Chemotherapy can cause a side effect known as “chemo brain,” which can result in mental fogginess or difficulty with multi-tasking, memory, and concentration. This side effect may continue for years after treatment is completed.
Hearing Loss
The use of specific chemotherapy drugs such as carboplatin and cisplatin can result in permanent hearing loss. Research conducted in 2017 found that cisplatin may still be present in the inner ear even after treatment, causing issues like ringing in the ears. The severity of the hearing-related problems may increase with higher doses and more frequent treatment.
Heart Damage
Chemotherapy can cause cardiovascular issues such as high blood pressure, as well as conditions like arrhythmia, carotid artery disease, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, pericardial effusion, pericardial fibrosis, and pericarditis.
Nerve Damage
Chemotherapy drugs can cause peripheral neuropathy, which is damage to the nerves that supply feeling and movement in the hands, feet, arms, and legs. Symptoms include pain or tingling in a limb and numbness. This side effect may persist for many years after treatment has stopped.
Kidney Damage
The use of certain chemotherapy drugs can damage the kidneys, leading to chronic kidney disease. The severity and duration of this side effect depend on the type and dose of drug used.
Lung Problems
Chemotherapy drugs like bleomycin, methotrexate, carmustine, and mitomycin have been linked to lung conditions such as pneumonitis. Pneumonitis can cause symptoms like chest tightness, trouble breathing, and fatigue.
These side effects may not appear immediately after treatment completion, but they can occur months or years later.
How long does it take to recover from the adverse effects of chemotherapy?
The duration of chemotherapy side effects varies from patient to patient, but most side effects resolve within a few days to a few weeks after treatment completion.
After chemotherapy ends, it may take anywhere from 6 to 12 months for symptoms to improve. Certain side effects can also linger permanently. Long-term side effects, however, may take longer to resolve.
How to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy?
There are several things you can do to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy, including:
Eating a healthy diet
Eating a well-balanced diet, getting sufficient sleep, and engaging in brain exercises can potentially help improve cognitive difficulties. Eating a nutritious diet including fruits, vegetables, and proteins can help support your body during treatment.
Getting plenty of rest
Getting enough rest: Try to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night to help boost your energy levels.
Staying hydrated
Drinking plenty of fluids can help flush out the chemotherapy drugs and reduce nausea.
Exercising regularly
Exercise can help alleviate fatigue and depression associated with chemotherapy treatment. Practicing relaxation techniques such as yoga, deep breathing, and meditation can help reduce stress and improve overall health.
Taking proper precautions
Taking safety measures like wearing gloves when gardening, avoiding crowds and small children, and washing hands thoroughly can reduce the risk of infection.
How can I manage my chemotherapy side effects?
Chemotherapy may result in late-term side effects that can begin during treatment and persist after it is completed. Alternatively, some side effects may manifest for the first time after chemotherapy has concluded.
Work with your healthcare provider and MedicoExpert’s tumor board to develop a management plan for your chemotherapy side effects. This may include taking medications to manage nausea, receiving blood transfusions to manage anemia, or participating in supportive care services such as yoga or counseling.
Conclusion
Chemotherapy can be an effective cancer treatment, but it also comes with a range of side effects that can impact patients’ lives. However, with Medicoexpert’s Tumor board approach, patients can get expert opinions from multidisciplinary teams of doctors for optimal treatment with reduced side effects.
Book a consultation with the MedicoExperts Tumor Board today to learn more about your cancer treatment options and how to manage chemotherapy side effects effectively.
FAQ :
Q1. When do people usually experience the toughest side effects after chemo?
A. The hardest days for most people are typically the first few days following treatment. However, some individuals reported that the side effects worsened with each subsequent treatment. The majority of side effects usually dissipate within a few weeks after the end of treatment.
Q2: What is the most significant risk of undergoing chemotherapy?
A: The most significant risk of chemotherapy is the likelihood of developing infections due to a weakened immune system caused by chemotherapy. These infections can be severe and pose a significant threat to health.
Q3. Can excessive sleep be a side effect of chemotherapy?
A. Most people undergoing chemotherapy experience fatigue as a side effect. This is caused by the chemotherapy’s direct impact on the body, as well as a possible result of anemia. Chemotherapy can interrupt your bone marrow’s ability to produce red blood cells, which can lead to tiredness.
Q4: How can I reduce chemotherapy costs?
A: MedicoExperts provides affordable cancer care solutions, including discounted rates on drugs and treatments. Additionally, you may be able to find financial assistance from local support groups or charities. Contact Medicoexpert for more information about reducing your chemotherapy costs.
Q5. How quickly does chemotherapy cause a tumour to shrink?
A. Your oncologist will discuss the timeline with you as chemo is often administered in cycles with breaks in between. While some tumors may start to shrink after the first round, it can take several months for others.
