Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs and medications to kill cancer cells, and it may be used in nearly every kind of cancer. These drugs typically have side effects, both short-term and long-term, many of which are easily treated. The kind of side effects and long-term effects depend on the type of drug given, the dosage, the kind of cancer being treated and the dosing schedule. Not every person will experience all the side effects or long-term effects, so talking to your doctor about possible long-term effects of your specific chemotherapy regimen may be beneficial.
Chemo Brain
Many people experience a sort of "mental cloudiness" during and after chemotherapy, and until recently, this phenomenon was not talked about or named. It is now known as "chemo brain" or "mild cognitive impairment," and up to 70 percent of people who get chemotherapy will experience this. Research has shown that some chemotherapy drugs do change the brain in various ways, especially regarding memory, planning, and inhibition. Other symptoms include trouble concentrating, difficulty multitasking, slower processing times and problems remembering certain words. Some people find their chemo brain resolves soon after chemotherapy ends, while others experience long-term changes, according to the American Cancer Society.
Fertility
Some chemotherapy drugs have long-term effects on fertility in both men and women. The effects of chemotherapy on fertility also depend on the dosage of the drug given, the patient's age (for example, women in their 40s are more likely to go into menopause than women in their 20s), and the length of treatment, according to Chemocare.com. In men, damage to the lining of the testicles affects production of sperm and can lead to either no sperm or small amounts of sperm being produced. Sometimes this damage reverses on its own, but this can take several years. In women, damage to the ovaries can cause premature menopause, which leads to infertility.
Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral nerves are the nerves in the arms and legs that control movement and sensation, and chemotherapy can damage these nerves, leading to what is called peripheral neuropathy. Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy can include tingling in the hands and feet similar to "pins and needles," burning, balance problems, hypersensitivity to temperature (especially cold), numbness in the fingers or toes and blood pressure changes. It typically affects both sides of the body in the same way. Peripheral neuropathy may be short-term during and after chemotherapy, but sometimes it is long-lasting. Peripheral neuropathy may be treated with medications or creams.
