Many side effects occur because chemotherapy targets rapidly dividing cells, both normal and abnormal. Understanding chemotherapy cancer council australia. Technically, the term chemotherapy usually refers to cytotoxic drugs which affect rapidly dividing cells. Understanding and managing chemotherapy side effects cancercare. Step 1 questions related to antineoplastic agents are most likely going to ask you about mechanism of action, cell cycle specificity, or side effects. If youre having chemotherapy, you should be told what side effects to report as well as who to contact, day or night, if you have any concerns or are unwell. Together, these drugs and chemotherapy are often called anticancer drugs. Not everyone experience chemotherapy side effects the same.
Sometimes, chemotherapy causes longterm side effects that dont go away. Chemotherapy information guide rogel cancer center. Current drugs or other approaches to counteract chemotherapyinduced adverse effects are often incompletely effective, frequently do not. Some of the most common side effects of chemotherapy affect digestion. In spite of these side effects, chemotherapy is one of the most effective treatment options for various types of cancer. Other side effects common side effects include tiredness, mouth ulcers, nausea and vomiting, and constipation. Chemotherapy can also lower your immune system, increasing the risk of infection. Understanding side effects of drug therapy provides questions to ask your healthcare team see page and lists common side effects and their management see page 16. Most side effects are shortterm and can be managed. Most are often temporary and can be treated or managed. Different chemotherapy drugs cause different side effects. Still, some side effects may take several months or longer to go away completely.
Chemotherapys side effects alopecia, gastrointestinal gi havoc, fatigue, and infectionhave earned their notoriety and generated. Surgery or radiation may take place before your chemotherapy, after. If youre having chemotherapy, you should be told what side effects to report as well as who to contact. Pdf sideeffects associated with the cancer chemotherapy limit the scope of chemotherapeutic drugs and no data was available about these side effects. Its important to tell us about any symptoms so we can treat them right away. Consider preparing a list of questions about side effects to ask your health care team so that you. Heres a list of many of the common side effects, but its unlikely youll have all of these. The side effects listed below do not comprise an allinclusive. For example, some types of chemotherapy may cause permanent damage to the heart, lung, liver, kidneys, or reproductive system.
In some cases they are often used at lower doses, which means that the side effects are minimized, while in other cases doses similar to ones used to treat cancer are used. Not everyone experience chemotherapy side effects the same way. Feeling tired or having little energy is a common side effect of many types. Your chemotherapy team and breast care nurse can help with any questions you have. If you feel upset or anxious about how long treatment is taking or the impact of side effects, let your doctor or nurse know. Preventing and controlling side effects is a major focus of your health care team, so talk with them about any side effects you experience. A few of the drugs can be given by mouth, but most are. Drugs that are given into the bloodstream through an iv called intravenous chemotherapy or infusion therapy. Blood cells white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets are released by the bone marrow the spongy material found in the hollow part of bones to replace those which are naturally used up in the body. Chemotherapy drugs go through your bloodstream and can affect your whole body. We will help you manage your side effects to make your treatment as easy as possible. Dry mouth and mouth sores that form on the tongue, lips, gums, or in the throat can make it difficult to chew and swallow. We have listed other helpful information from macmillan on. Jan 08, 2017 questions you should ask your doctor about chemotherapy treatment and its side effects.
Chemotherapy can produce side effects in some but not all people. Feeling tired or having little energy is a common side effect of many types of chemotherapy. The drugs cannot tell the difference between cancer cells and other rapidly dividing. These may include damage to your heart, lungs, nerve endings, kidneys, or reproductive organs. These interactions may make side effects worse and affect how well chemo drugs work. Some people will only have a few side effects and others may have. Many people feel concerned about the side effects of chemotherapy, but most side effects are temporary and they can often be controlled or reduced. However, chemotherapy is able to cure only about 1015% of all cancer patients. Theres the risk of longlasting effects that may develop even years after the treatment, depending on the type of chemotherapy. Chemo drugs kill fastgrowing cells, but because these drugs travel throughout the body, they can affect normal, healthy cells that are fastgrowing, too. Blood cells white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets are. Chemotherapy treatment affects the cells in your body that are rapidly dividing. If you have any more questions, ask your doctor or nurse.
Chemotherapy can produce sideeffects in some but not all people. Technically, the term chemotherapy usually refers to. Side effects of cancer treatment macmillan cancer support. Common side effects effects on the blood fec chemotherapy can temporarily affect the number of healthy blood cells in the body. Sep 10, 2017 there are some common side effects that usually go away once treatment is over. Managing the side effects of chemotherapy university health.
Chemotherapy has greatly improved in recent years, and most side effects can be treated. Different chemotherapy drugs cause different sideeffects. The side effects vary depending on the drugs used, and they also vary from one individual to another. Chemotherapy can cause unpleasant side effects, although many can be treated or prevented, and most will pass once your treatment stops. Chemotherapy drug interactions and side effects when looking at how best to combine chemo drugs, doctors must look at interactions between chemo drugs and other medicines the person is taking, including overthecounter medicines, vitamins, and supplements. Understanding side effects of drug therapy leukemia. Step 1 questions related to antineoplastic agents are most. Chemotherapy is often given in cycles, with days or weeks off between treatments. Chemotherapy and your mouth national institute of dental. Chemotherapy often abbreviated to chemo and sometimes ctx or ctx is a type of cancer treatment that uses one or more anticancer drugs chemotherapeutic agents as part of a standardized. Cancer treatment side effects cancer institute nsw. Most chemotherapy side effects go away shortly after youve finished chemotherapy.
Side effects of cancer treatment side effects of cancer treatment this fact sheet is about some of the main side effects of cancer treatment. The effects of the drugs on healthy cells can cause side effects like tiredness or feeling sick. Tell the doctor or healthcare team if you have changes to your eyes. And some people have trouble with thinking, concentrating, and memory for months or years after treatment.
Chemotherapy can cure cancer, prolong life, or reduce symptoms. Chemotherapys side effects alopecia, gastrointestinal gi havoc, fatigue, and infectionhave earned their notoriety and generated oncology practitioners mantra. When you and your doctor are deciding on a chemotherapy regimen, weighing the benefits versus the side effects is part of the process. Not all chemotherapy drugs have the same side effects and the severity of those side effects is. Most side effects of chemotherapy subside when treatment is over. They tend to gradually improve once treatment stops and the normal, healthy cells recover. In most cases, the side effects disappear after the treatment is stopped. Dose schedule for the oral chemotherapy, as well as schedule of. Side effects may occur just after treatment days or weeks or they may occur later months or years after the chemotherapy has been given. This guide provides links and references to reliable and current. Chemotherapy drug interactions and side effects when looking at how best to combine chemo drugs, doctors must look at interactions between chemo drugs and other medicines the person is taking. Understanding side effects of drug therapy i page 3 introduction more than one million people in the united states are living with or are in remission from blood cancer leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, myelodysplastic syndromes and myeloproliferative neoplasms. A guide to oral anticancer treatment university of michigan.
Contact us to provide feedback or request this brochure in a different format, such as large print. Side effects include problems with your teeth and gums. Chemotherapy side effects include vomiting, nausea, hair loss, nerve damage, fatigue, diarrhea, constipation and more. Sometimes, chemotherapy causes longterm side effects. Below, your nurse will check off the side effects you are most likely to have. The side effects listed below do not comprise an allinclusive list. These cycles give your body a chance to rest between treatments. Some chemotherapy drugs cause eye changes, such as blurry vision, watery eyes and trouble wearing contact lenses. Coping with the side effects of chemotherapy oxford university. Not all chemotherapy drugs have the same side effects and the severity of those side effects is different with each person, drug and dose. The effects of cancer on social and emotional wellbeing. Safe handling of body secretions and waste in the home 9. Understanding and managing chemotherapy side effects. Medicines or drugs that destroy cancer cells are called cancer chemotherapy chemo.
Questions you should ask your doctor about chemotherapy treatment and its side effects. Pdf side effects of chemotherapy in cancer patients and. As each persons individual medical profile and diagnosis is different, so is hisher reaction to. Its difficult to predict what side effects youll get. Some chemotherapy drugs can cause painful side effects, such as aching in the muscles and joints, headaches and stomach pains. The side effects you may get will depend on the type and dose of chemotherapy you get. Side effects of chemotherapy cancer council victoria.
Potential side effects and the management of short and longterm side effects, including reproductive and fertility risks 6. When looking at how best to combine chemo drugs, doctors must look at interactions between chemo drugs and other medicines the person is taking, including overthecounter medicines, vitamins, and supplements. The purpose of this guide is to help you find information and support on chemotherapy. After chemotherapy, you may also be given antinausea medications to take at home. Your doctor will prescribe drugs to help with many of these side effects but there are also ways in which you can help yourself. Managing chemotherapy side effects cancer council nsw. Before you start chemotherapy, a doctor, a nurse or pharmacist will tell you about the medicines you will get and the side effects you may have. You may worry about the side effects of chemotherapy. Most people dont know that anticancer treatment includes many different drugs that are given in a variety of ways such as. More than 50 drugs of different types are now being used.
Side effects of chemotherapy canadian cancer society. Its important to understand how these drugs should be taken. The side effects of oral chemotherapy are similar to those from iv chemotherapy. They depend on the type of cancer, where it is located, the drugs and dose used, and your general health.
Some chemotherapy drugs are used in diseases other than cancer, such as in autoimmune disorders, and noncancerous plasma cell dyscrasia. These effects can be prevented by taking appropriate medications, maintaining proper hygiene, intake of dietary supplements, and following a healthy. Get ready for possible side effects of chemotherapy mayo. Some people experience pins and needles peripheral neuropathy. Get ready for possible side effects of chemotherapy mayo clinic. Mar 25, 2020 most chemotherapy side effects go away shortly after youve finished chemotherapy. These drugs kill cancer cells, but they may also harm normal cells, including cells in the mouth. It can stop the growth of a tumor in the breast and kill cancer cells that have spread to other parts of the body. If you are applying for financial assistance, all correspondence must be done electronically through email or fax. Like all cancer therapies, chemotherapy drugs have side effects, some of which can be serious. Although chemotherapy drugs are effective on their own, they may be given in combinations to make them even better at.
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