Chemotherapy is one of several treatment options available to patients with cancer. Patients who choose this form of cancer therapy receive chemotherapeutic drugs orally, topically or by injection. The length of chemotherapy treatment depends upon the stage of cancer a patient has. Side effects of chemotherapy can become uncomfortable and patients should thoroughly discuss them with an oncologist before they begin treatment.
Fatigue
The most common side effect of chemotherapy, which is also known as chemo, is excessive fatigue, explains KidsHealth, a children's health information website established by the Nemours Foundation. Sensations of fatigue can cause affected patients to sleep for long periods of time throughout the day and may significantly impact their ability to attend work or school. Fatigue may also negatively affect a patient's ability to concentrate or focus on simple daily tasks. Though this side effect of chemotherapy occurs temporarily, feelings of fatigue can become worse with recurrent treatments.
Nausea and Vomiting
After receiving a dose of chemotherapy, patients can develop stomach-related side effects due to this treatment. Nausea and vomiting occur frequently but may be controlled through the use of anti-nausea drugs, explains Dr. Edward T. Creagan, an oncologist with the Mayo Clinic. The severity of these side effects peak shortly after administration of chemotherapy treatment and may progressively subside between treatments. Patients who become nauseous or begin vomiting following chemotherapy may also experience a decreased appetite or weight loss.
Hair Loss
Chemotherapeutic drugs target and destroy cells in the body that replicate quickly, such as cancer cells. Hair cells also grow quickly and may be destroyed by chemotherapy drugs. As a result, patients undergoing this form of treatment can experience partial or complete hair loss as a side effect. Affected patients may begin losing scalp or body hair shortly after treatment begins. Extensive hair loss can become upsetting but this side effect is only temporary. Once treatment ends, patients may begin to re-grow hair immediately or up to six months after treatment, explains BreastCancer.org.
Bruising, Bleeding or Infection
Patients receiving chemo present an increased risk of developing unusual bruising, bleeding or infection, explain health officials at the American Cancer Society. Chemotherapeutic drugs can limit the normal response of the immune system, making it more difficult for a treated patient's body to ward of infection or heal after injury. As a result, patients may develop extensive bruising after minor injuries, such as bumping into a table, and can experience recurrent infections, such as the cold or flu.
Anemia
Chemotherapy can cause patients receiving this form of treatment to develop an unusually low red blood cell counts. The red blood cells are a component of the blood that help fight off infection and give blood its red color. Low levels of red blood cells within the body can cause affected patients to develop anemia. Side effects of anemia include fatigue, pale skin, dizziness, irritability or difficulty breathing, explains the National Anemia Action Council. Certain patients may also have chest pain or unusually cold hands or feet. These side effects of chemotherapy typically resolve once treatment ends.
