Chemotherapy is a common treatment for several forms of cancer. Chemotherapy drugs are considered cytotoxic, which means that they are poisonous to cells. They prevent and interfere with a range important cellular processes that are required for the cells' growth and survival, such as damaging the structure of the cell beyond repair, or preventing the cell from making the proteins it needs to survive. These drugs have toxic effects on both cancer cells and normal cells, so patients taking a course of chemotherapy will often experience a number of complications after treatment.
Neutropenia
Neutropenia is a condition that occurs when there are not enough white blood cells found in the blood. White blood cells are "born" within the bone marrow from a population of stem cells that continually divide to give rise to blood cells. Many chemotherapeutic agents interfere with the cell division of blood stem cells, creating a deficit in the number of new white blood cells created. Since white blood cells are part of the body's immune system, neutropenia leaves a patient vulnerable to infection and disease.
The University of Florida reports that chemotherapy-induced neutropenia is common in patients who had existing low blood cell counts before chemotherapy, as well as those taking chemotherapy drugs that reduce white blood cell counts. Diagnosing neutropenia requires a blood test to check white blood cell counts. Stem cell treatments after chemotherapy can help reduce neutropenia.
Anemia
Chemotherapy can also cause anemia, a condition that can result from a decrease in red blood cells within the blood. Red blood cells contain a molecule called hemoglobin, which binds to oxygen in the air and carries oxygen through the blood to support the tissues of the body. Anemia occurs when the cells of the body do not get enough oxygen. Since the red blood cells are also made from stem cells in the bone marrow, similarly to white blood cells, patients who have received a course of chemotherapy often have a low red blood cell count, causing anemia.
The symptoms of anemia are weakness and fatigue, dizziness and fast heart rate. Oregon Health and Science University explains that taking frequent naps, staying hydrated and maintaining a balanced diet may help alleviate the symptoms of anemia following chemotherapy.
Hair Loss
After a dose of chemotherapy, patients may experience hair thinning or hair loss, a condition called alopecia. Each hair follicle contains a number of continually dividing cells, which act as stem cells to support hair growth and help maintain the skin. Since chemotherapeutic drugs are harmful to normal cells as well as cancer cells, a dose of chemotherapy will harm the stem cells within the follicle, causing the hair to fall out after treatment.
The University of Pennsylvania reports that hair loss from chemotherapy is not permanent. Hair growth occurs in cycles, and the hair will begin to grow again at the next growth cycle.
