The severity and type of side effects that a patient may endure because of chemotherapy depends upon the type of and length of the chemotherapy they receive. Some patients will have some side effects and others will have none, it is all contingent on a variety of factors which are mostly determined based on the type of cancer you have and how advanced it is. The side effects are the result of chemotherapy affecting normal cells so once the therapy has ended, the side effects go away as the cells have a chance to normally grow and multiply. Most patients do not endure long term problems from chemotherapy but in some instances it caused permanent changes or damage to some organs.
One side effect of chemotherapy that is relatively common is fatigue. The patients feel tired and they lack energy while undergoing treatment. Since fatigue in cancer patients is different from fatigue in normal individuals, those with cancer can still feel tired for days, weeks and even months even if they get rest.
Some patients endure pain during chemotherapy because their nerves become damaged and this produces a tingling or shooting pain in their toes and fingers. Although not everyone experiences pain, it is a common occurrence that can be relieved. If you begin to experience pain, describe it to your doctor as accurately as you can so they can give you the appropriate pain medication.
Another common side effect of chemotherapy is hair loss, also known as alopecia. Not all chemotherapy treatments cause hair loss so ask your doctor if the one you are taking will result in hair loss or not. The hair loss can begin weeks after the treatment begins and occur on all parts of the body such as the head, face, legs and underarms. Sometimes the hair will grow back a different color and/or texture so there is no reason to worry if this happens.
Nausea and vomiting is often a common side effect but new drugs are helping to reduce their occurrence. There are different drugs and some will work for a patient and others will not so talk to your doctor to help advise you on which one is right for you. If you feel nauseous or vomit frequently, make sure you inform your doctor.
One side effect that can happen to people who have previously had chemotherapy treatment is called radiation recall. Radiation recall is when an area of skin that had previously been exposed to the radiation turns red and the red can be any shade from a bright red to a dark red. If this happens, it can last anywhere from a few hours to several days, but you should still inform your doctor.
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