Chemotherapy agents are drugs that specifically target rapidly growing cells. This makes it especially useful in treating cancers, which are diseases caused by abnormally growing and dividing cells. Chemotherapy is administered systemically, meaning it is introduced into the blood stream, where it travels to the tumor to attack and kill the cancer cells. It does, however, come into contact with healthy cells along the way and can therefore cause a variety of unwanted side effects. Many of the side effects are temporary and can be controlled through medications, but some can be permanent.
Infertility
Cells of the reproductive system are rapidly dividing and are therefore vulnerable to being damaged by chemotherapy agents. Cancer affects people of all ages; according to a study performed by doctors at three corroborating German hospitals and published in the April 29, 2008, volume of "Breast Cancer Research," at least 13 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer are younger than 45. For those patients who still wish to have a family after chemotherapy, infertility can be a difficult side effect.
For men, chemotherapy can permanently affect the sperm and the parts of the body responsible for producing sperm, resulting in permanent infertility. For women chemotherapy can damage the ovaries and change the hormone levels. For women over the age of 30, according to the American Cancer Society, this can result in early menopause.
Heart Disease
Some chemotherapy drugs can damage the muscle cells in the heart. About 1 in every 10 patients, according to the American Cancer Society, will sustain heart muscle damage from the anthracycline class of chemotherapy medications.
Heart damage can affect its ability to pump blood throughout the body, which can lead to symptoms including dizziness, erratic heartbeat, dry cough, shortness of breath, and swelling of the hands or feet. Over time, the damage can lead to a buildup of fluid around the heart, which is known as congestive heart failure.
Nerve Damage
Chemotherapy drugs can affect the central nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, cranial nerves (those that branch directly from the brain or spinal cord) and peripheral nerves (those that extend throughout the body). Damage to the central nervous system can result in symptoms such as stiff neck, headache, confusion and seizures. Damage to the cranial nerves can affect vision, hearing and sense of smell or taste.
Damage to the peripheral nerves is the most common and can result in an overall feeling of clumsiness that can interfere with daily activities. The symptoms may include pain, tingling, numbness or a decrease in the sensation of touch. Nerves can heal themselves so these symptoms will often cease once the chemotherapy treatments have stopped, but there is a risk this nerve damage can be permanent.
Secondary Cancer
Some chemotherapy agents increase your risk of later developing another type of cancer. The most common secondary cancers, according to the American Cancer Society, are lymphomas or leukemias, but solid tumors are also a possibility.
