Cancer is an umbrella term for different diseases characterized by the out-of-control growth of abnormal cells. According to the Mayo Clinic, cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the United States. Treating cancer is unique to each form of the disease, but most versions of cancer require treatment that includes chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is the use of chemical agents to try and kill cancer cells. Many people are familiar with the varied side effects of chemotherapy, but some adverse effects do not become apparent until after treatment has ceased. These are referred to as delayed or late effects.
Brain Effects
Many of the late effects of chemotherapy are more easily recognized and are more prominent in children who have cancer. Chemotherapy is designed to attack rapidly dividing cells, and since children's bodies are still growing, their cells are dividing more quickly than adults are. Chemotherapy can interrupt or destroy cells that are developing in the brain and cause symptoms. According to Cancer.org, chemotherapy that is given into the spinal cord, called intrathecal therapy, has been linked to learning disabilities in children. These learning disabilities are most common in children who receive chemotherapy under the age of five, and the younger the child, the more likely they are to suffer a learning disability. This can result in lower IQ scores, problems with memory, attention deficits, behavioral problems and lower academic scores.
Heart Problems
Chemotherapy can cause the late effect of heart problems. This is most common in older adults who receive higher levels of chemotherapy. According to Cancer.net, inflammation of the heart muscle, congestive heart failure and heart disease are all potential late effects of chemo. It is important for cancer survivors to have any chest pain or symptoms of heart disease checked quickly. Particular classes of chemotherapy drugs called anthracyclines are used primarily to treat childhood cancer and have been linked with heart disease in these cancer survivors.
Lung Problems
Lung problems can occur in those who were treated with chemotherapy. The late effects of chemo to the lungs include a thickening of the lining of the lungs, lung inflammation, difficulty breathing and a change in lung function. Those who receive high levels of particular chemotherapy drugs in conjunction with radiation treatment are at a much higher risk of developing lung disease than the general population. According to Cancer.org, changes in lung function and structure can occur many years after chemotherapy has ceased.
Skeletal Problems
Cancer.net reports that osteoporosis, a condition that involves weakening of the bones, is the most common late effect of chemotherapy treatment. It is critical for cancer survivors to avoid other risk factors for developing osteoporosis and other bone and joint disorders by not smoking, getting regular exercise, eating a healthy diet and limiting their alcohol intake.
