Chemotherapy is the use of drugs and medications to kill cancer cells. Side effects of chemotherapy for children vary, depending on the type of drug given, the dosage and the child's general health. Many of the side effects resolve once treatment has ended, and are manageable with anti-nausea medications and other medications that the health care team can provide. Not every child will experience every side effect, and depending on the drugs used, the health care team can provide more information about what side effects can be expected.
Gastrointestinal Problems
Chemotherapy drugs may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation or loss of appetite. Changes in how food tastes and smells may also occur during treatment. The child's health care provider can prescribe medication to help with things like nausea, constipation and diarrhea, and these side effects subside once treatment has ended. Weight loss may occur because of these side effects, but if steroids are also prescribed, weight gain may occur.
Blood Cell Counts
Chemotherapy often lowers blood cell counts, which means there is a drop in the amount of white and red blood cells and platelets. This puts the child at increased risk for infections, anemia and easy bruising and bleeding. Low red blood cell counts may also cause paleness, shortness of breath and heart palpitations. Blood will typically be drawn before chemotherapy treatments to ensure blood counts are high enough to withstand another treatment. If counts are too low, donor blood or platelets may be given.
General Side Effects
Other side effects that children may experience during chemotherapy include hair loss, flu-like symptoms (congestion, runny nose, chills, cough), stomach pain, nerve damage, mouth sores, sensitive gums and skin rashes. These effects can be alleviated with prescription medication, mouthwashes and creams that the child's doctor can prescribe, and they subside once treatment ends.
Long-Term Side Effects
Most side effects of chemotherapy for children subside once treatment has ended, but there are some that may persist, and some that may show up years after treatment is over. Long-term or late effects may include developing a second cancer, cognitive difficulties, impaired fertility, impaired growth, heart damage, lung or kidney damage, problems with the thyroid gland and nerve damage. Effects can depend on the specific type of chemotherapy the child has had. Talking with your child's health care provider before treatment starts about any concerns you have regarding long-term effects can help you get a better idea of possible long-term effects.
