Chemotherapy drugs kill off cancer cells and at the same time they destroy healthy cells. While the cancer may be completely eradicated, the healthy cells usually recover and grow back. Meanwhile, the effects of chemotherapy after cancer can last for a while and vary from patient to patient.
Chemo Brain
According to the American Cancer Society, the effects of chemotherapy that affect the cognitive functions of the brain can linger after the treatment is over. In some patients, the brain actually shrinks and affects areas such as memory, inhibition and the ability to plan. While the brain eventually recovers, patients often report permanent changes in their thinking patterns.
Hair Loss
Chemotherapy drugs kill hair follicles and patients typically begin to lose their hair within two to three weeks after treatment begins. Doctors at the National Cancer Institute say that hair growth usually returns about two to three months after chemotherapy is over. Patients can expect their hair to grow in slowly and it may be different than before the cancer treatments. Many people who had straight hair often find their new growth is curly and vice versa. Others find they have a whole new color.
Fertility
Young people should speak to their doctors about their desires to have children because some chemotherapy drugs may cause infertility. Sex during the treatments often is difficult; men may have trouble holding an erection and women may experience dryness in the vagina. Both men and women often are too fatigued to participate in sexual activities during treatment.
Cancer
Chemotherapy has been known to cause other kinds of cancer. Various forms of leukemia are directly related to the strength of the doses, the types of chemotherapy drugs used and the length of the treatments. Researchers at the American Cancer Society report that the risk of developing a secondary cancer increases after two years off the chemotherapy and remains high for three more years. The risk of developing chemo-related leukemia is even greater when coupled with radiation treatments.
Infection
Patients receiving chemotherapy drugs typically have an intravenous line inserted to deliver the medication. Doctors at the American College of Radiology say that the risk of developing infections at the site of the catheter can be minimized if sterile procedures are closely followed. Long-term infections should be caught if the site is inspected regularly and any irregularities are quickly reported. Swelling in other parts of the body may indicate a blood clot has been released and could lead to death if not treated immediately.
