Chemotherapy

Side effects of chemotherapy are different for everyone. A woman's medical oncologist and chemotherapy nurse will discuss possible side effects with her before cancer treatment begins.

Side effects of chemotherapy depend heavily on the drug combinations which are used. In general, patients are at greater risk for getting infections, for bruising or bleeding easily, and they may have less energy during treatment and for a while afterward. Patients may also have side effects such as hair loss, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, mouth sores, and numbness or tingling in the hands and feet. Many of these side effects can be controlled, and most go away during the recovery part of the chemotherapy cycle or after the cancer treatment is completed.

Some cancer treatment drugs can damage the ovaries. If the ovaries are damaged, they may stop producing hormones. This means that a woman may experience symptoms of menopause -- like hot flashes and vaginal dryness -- if she is premenopausal. Her periods may become irregular or may stop, and she may not be able to get pregnant. However, some women may still be able to get pregnant during treatment. Because doctors don't know how chemotherapy affects an unborn child, a woman should talk to her doctor about using birth control before treatment begins. After treatment, some women can get pregnant, but if the patient is older than 40, infertility is usually permanent.

There may be long-term side effects of chemotherapy. These effects depend on the drugs that were used. A woman should ask her doctor or nurse what the possible long-term side effects of her treatment may be and how to watch for them.

‹ previous section | next section ›