Chemotherapy, the use of potent drugs to destroy cancer cells, can have negative effects ranging from annoying to life-threatening. Chemotherapy destroys rapidly growing cells like cancer cells, but kills other rapidly growing cells in other parts of the body at the same time. For this reason, negative effects occur most often in parts of the body where cells divide rapidly. Disadvantages of chemotherapy should be carefully weighed against the benefits, particularly for the elderly or other people who may not tolerate the negative effects well.
Risk of Infection
White blood cells fight infection and like other blood cells, have a rapid turnover rate and come under attack during chemotherapy. The decrease in the number of white blood cells leaves a person vulnerable to infection. People receiving chemotherapy should check their temperature daily and report a temperature of 100.5 F or above to a doctor before taking any medication to reduce fever, the National Cancer Institute recommends. Infection can occur in any part of the body; frequent hand washing, staying out of crowds and away from sick people, avoiding cuts or injuries that provide a portal for infection and promptly treating even small infections helps minimize more serious complications.
Gastrointestinal Problems
The cells that line the stomach and intestines divide rapidly, so gastrointestinal problems occur often as side effects of chemotherapy. Mouth sores frequently occur three to ten days after chemotherapy, Chemotherapy.com reports, and can cause significant pain and difficulty eating. Many but not all, chemotherapy medications cause nausea and vomiting. Taking antiemetics before treatment helps reduce nausea and vomiting. Either diarrhea or constipation can also occur as side effects of chemotherapy, along with a decrease in appetite or distaste for food.
Fatigue
Many factors of chemotherapy induce fatigue; from anemia, a decrease in red blood cells that reduces the amount of oxygen available to the body; to stress and anxiety over treatment. Getting enough sleep and maintaining adequate nutrition, which is difficult if nausea and vomiting interfere with eating, are recommended.
Hair Loss
While hair loss isn't life-threatening or dangerous, it's one of the most life impacting disadvantages of chemotherapy for many people. Not all chemotherapy drugs cause complete hair loss, but many do, since hair cells divide rapidly. Purchasing a wig to wear before hair starts to fall out and having hats or scarves ready helps to avoid last minute panic when hair does fall out. Some people shave their heads so they won't have to deal with losing hair in large quantities at a time or unevenly.
