Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that's often prescribed as part of the entire treatment regimen. Chemotherapy consists of drugs that destroy cancer cells and can be effective, but those drugs are administered to the entire body and may end up damaging healthy cells as well. When healthy cells are damaged, a number of painful and uncomfortable side effects can result.
Weight, Appetite and Mouth Symptoms
When you've got cancer, it's important to continue eating plenty of healthy, nutritious foods to keep up your weight and strength. But a number of chemotherapy side effects make that difficult. Large, painful sores can develop in your mouth, making eating, chewing and swallowing difficult and painful. Chemotherapy can also lead to a loss of appetite, says the American Cancer Society, as your taste buds and sense of smell are altered and foods just don't smell or taste as good as they once did.
Gastrointestinal Symptoms
Some of the most common (and uncomfortable) side effects of chemotherapy involve the gastrointestinal tract. Vomiting and nausea are quite common, says the ACS, as are excessive diarrhea and constipation. These side effects can be difficult to manage and cause significant discomfort, interfering with daily activities and responsibilities.
Fatigue and Nerve Problems
Chemotherapy can cause extreme fatigue and exhaustion. Damage can also be sustained to the muscles and nerves, affecting memory and cognitive function (often called "chemo brain") as well as the ability to move and function. People undergoing chemotherapy may feel unbalanced and be more likely to fall. Problems gripping, grasping or grabbing objects (even fastening clothing and dressing yourself) are common--you may drop objects frequently or have trouble holding a pen, writing or typing.
Health Conditions and Illness
Chemotherapy can weaken the immune system, greatly increasing the risk of infection--and the risk of serious complications of otherwise minor infections. Anemia (low red blood cell count) is a condition that commonly develops as a side effect of chemotherapy, says the ACS. If the reproductive organs are affected by cancer or the treatment, infertility and problems with sexual function may also result.
