Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to help kill cancer cells. As with any medication, there are varying side effects depending on the drug(s) being used, the chemotherapy regimen, the dosage and the cancer being treated. While not everyone will have all the side effects, there are some side effects that tend to be far-reaching and common among many chemotherapy drugs, like alopecia (hair loss) and lowered blood cell counts. Many side effects are temporary, and can be managed during treatment.
Blood Counts
Your blood has white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets, and chemotherapy can affect all of these, depending on the drug you are taking. Red blood cells carry oxygen to your body's tissues, and fewer red blood cells in your body due to chemotherapy can lead to anemia, fatigue, paleness, feeling cold, weakness and a fast heartbeat, according to the American Cancer Society. White blood cells help your body fight infection, and chemotherapy can therefore increase your risk of infection. Platelets help your blood to clot and stop bleeding, and chemotherapy may cause you to bruise easily and bleed more than usual. You may have bleeding when your brush your teeth, nosebleeds, red spots under your skin, more fatigue than usual or dizziness. You will have blood tests throughout your chemotherapy to help monitor your blood counts, but it is important to let your health care team know if you experience any symptoms.
Nausea and Vomiting
According to the American Cancer Society, nausea and vomiting are two of the most common and most feared side effects of chemotherapy. The extent of nausea and vomiting depend on the drug you are being given, but most of the time nausea and vomiting can be mitigated by anti-emetic medication and changes in diet. Some people have nausea before treatment even starts; this is called anticipatory nausea, a very real phenomenon that can be alleviated with relaxation and medication.
Neurological Problems
Various kinds of chemotherapy drugs can cause peripheral neuropathy, which causes tingling, numbness, a "pins and needles" feeling, or a burning sensation in your feet and hands. This is due to nerve damage in the peripheral nerves which control sensation in the arms and legs. Other symptoms of nerve damage can include a loss of balance, hearing loss, vision changes and clumsiness. Another neurological side effect that occurs with chemotherapy is called "chemo brain," or mild cognitive impairment. Chemo brain typically consists of mild changes in thinking, like having trouble remembering common words, slower processing times, difficulty concentrating or multi-tasking, and memory lapses. Chemo brain tends to be mild, and in most cases resolves over time.
Hair Loss
Hair loss, or alopecia, is one of the side effects typically thought of when chemotherapy is discussed. Not every chemotherapy drug will cause hair loss, however, and some drugs may only cause hair to thin. The hair on your head is not the only place you can lose your hair; you can experience hair loss all over your body, including your eyelashes and eyebrows. Alopecia typically starts after the first few treatments, and is almost always temporary, according to the American Cancer Society.
