Cancer treatment using chemotherapy targets rapidly-growing cells. Unfortunately, cancer cells are not the only ones with relatively short life-cycles. As a result, healthy cells often become casualties in the fight against cancer, and it is their destruction by chemotherapeutic agents that causes the side effects commonly associated with cancer. Treatment protocols vary among types of cancer, but there are possible side effects to watch out for those undergoing colon cancer treatment.
Digestive Issues
It comes as no surprise that chemotherapy often affects the digestive tract, since these cells have a rapid turn-over rate. Diarrhea, bloating, gas, vomiting, the inability to taste, and mouth and throat sores are all possible side effects of chemo treatments for colon cancer.
Poor Appetite and Weight Loss
Also related to digestive problems are poor appetite and weight loss. Because of the discomfort often associated with eating and/or the inability to taste their food, colon cancer patients may lose their appetite. They may also have trouble digesting and absorbing the food they do eat, leading to weight loss.
Compromised Blood Cell Production
Chemo destroys cells in the bone marrow that produce red and white blood cells as well as platelets. If a cancer patient has too few red blood cells, the body will become anemic and may experience fatigue, pallor, shortness of breath, dizziness and exercise intolerance. If a patient has too few white blood cells, he is more susceptible to infection, since white blood cells are largely responsible for immune function. Finally, if platelet production declines, the colon cancer patient may experience unusual bleeding or bruising.
Nerve and Muscle Problems
Chemo drugs used for colon cancer may cause nerve pain, especially in the hands and feet. Symptoms of this neuropathy include loss of balance, difficulty walking, a burning sensation or numbness in hands and feet, and trouble with fine motor tasks. Muscles may be weak or tire easily. These side effects may resolve when chemo treatment is discontinued, or they may persist to some degree, particularly the nerve damage.
Chemobrain
A surprisingly common but often overlooked side effect of chemo is a phenomenon known as chemobrain. Chemo drugs appear to cause structural changes in the brains of some patients, leading to short-term memory loss, fuzzy thinking, trouble with concentration and problem solving, and difficulty concentrating. The degree to which patients recover from chemobrain is highly variable.
