Chemotherapy Side Effects
Scientists have made a great deal of progress in developing
therapies to help prevent and manage the side effects of chemotherapy. Newer
supportive care treatments have led to vast improvements in the management of
symptoms associated with cancer treatment. Some people don't experience side
effects at all, and you are unlikely to experience all the side effects you read
about below. Although chemotherapy is designed to treat cancer cells,
unfortunately, it often affects parts of your body not directly affected by the
cancer itself. This undesired result is referred to as a complication of treatment,
or a side effect.
Side effects may be acute (short-term), chronic (long-term), or permanent. Side effects may cause inconvenience, discomfort, and even death.
Additionally, certain side effects may prevent doctors from delivering the
prescribed dose of chemotherapy at the specific time and schedule of the
treatment plan.11, 36, 37 In certain cancers, the expected outcome from chemotherapy is based
on delivering the full chemotherapy dose on schedule so it is important to
understand
chemotherapy cycles and schedules.
Side effects from chemotherapy can include pain, diarrhea, constipation, mouth sores, hair loss, nausea and vomiting, as well as blood-related side effects. In this section, you can learn more about the importance of diagnosing and monitoring blood-related side effects. These may include low infection fighting white blood cells count (neutropenia), low red blood cells count (anemia), and low platelets count (thrombocytopenia).
CBC and Related Side Effects
The CBC, or complete blood count, helps your doctor look for side effects of
chemotherapy, which may include changes in the three types of cells in your blood.
Because chemotherapy kills fast-growing blood cells as well as cancer cells, side
effects involving your blood are an expected result of
chemotherapy. Your first step in understanding blood-related side effects is knowing
CBC, or your complete blood count.
Side effects involving blood include the following:
Neutropenia
Neutropenia (new-troh-PEE-nee-ah) is the scientific name for a low infection-fighting
white blood cell count. A low white blood cell count may leave your body
vulnerable to infection and too weak to receive chemotherapy according to your doctors' treatment schedule.11, 36, 37 This could lead your doctor to delay your current treatment or
reduce your doses until your count reaches sufficient levels. Infection can lead to hospitalization. To help reduce the risk of treatment
delays due to blood-related side effects, find out more about the risks associated with low white cell blood count.
Anemia
Anemia (ah-NEE-mee-ah) is the scientific name for a low red blood cell count. Because red blood cells carry oxygen,
a low red blood cell count may mean there
is not enough oxygen circulating in your body. This condition can be effectively
managed with one of several treatments, including prescription medicines, and/or blood transfusions, if necessary.
Thrombocytopenia
Thrombocytopenia (throm-boh-sy-toh-PEE-nee-ah) is the scientific name for a low platelet count.
A low platelet count may cause you to experience bruising or excessive bleeding. Learn more about the risks of low platelet count.
All of these side effects may be related to your chemotherapy. All are diagnosed through your CBC test. You can manage them to help reduce the possibility that they will compromise your treatment. A journal provides a place for you to keep track of your blood counts throughout your chemotherapy, and is one of the Tools for Organizing Your Cancer Information.
In addition to blood-related side effects, chemotherapy can result in other side effects that can interfere with treatment if not managed properly. Learn more about other types of chemotherapy side effects.
Sometimes side effects signal a serious problem. Find out when to call your doctor about chemotherapy side effects.
UNDERSTANDING CANCER
TREATING CANCER WITH CHEMOTHERAPY
CHEMOTHERAPY SIDE EFFECTS
TREATING CANCER IN OTHER WAYS
TRACKING YOUR TEST RESULTS
UNDERSTANDING INSURANCE AND TAX ISSUES: INSURANCE TIPS
WEB RESOURCES AND ORGANIZATIONS
TOOLS FOR ORGANIZING YOUR CANCER INFORMATION
FOR CAREGIVERS
GLOSSARY OF CANCER TERMS
REGISTER FOR PROGRAMS
COMPLIMENTARY SUBSCRIPTION
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Talk to your doctor before you start chemotherapy to learn about helping protect against infection, a serious side-effect of chemotherapy.
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