Side Effects of Chemotherapy

Side Effects of Chemotherapy
Cancers are essentially known as malignant tumors wherein the morphology or infrastructure of the cells is distorted as compared to the corresponding normal cells. This is in variance with benign tumors, which have cells that closely resemble the infrastructure of the corresponding normal cells. In other words, the more the cells deviate from the normal makeup or appearance, the more malignant or aggressive the cancer.

1.Skin reactions
This complication is evidenced in intravenous drug administration. Sometimes, the drug may leak into the surrounding tissues and cause irritation. This may be experienced as a local burning sensation, pain and discomfort at the site of administration. However, this should not be neglected, and must be managed adequately as not doing so might lead to irreversible skin damage and possible death of the surrounding tissue.

2.Allergic reactions
A few chemotherapy agents may give rise to allergic or hypersensitivity reactions characterized by breathing difficulty, sweating, rashes, anxiety, palpitations, and fall in blood pressure. These reactions may occur from within 1 hr to 24hrs of receiving treatment.

3.Nausea/vomiting
These symptoms depend more or less on the doses of drugs, the drug schedule and route of administration. Pre-chemotherapy anxiety may also contribute to nausea and vomiting.

4.Fever/infection
Any rise in temperature of the body is regarded as a tell-tale sign of hidden infection. This is predominantly due to the so called “low counts” as a result of chemotherapy. It can be expected during day 7-14 of the cycle as this is the duration of fall in blood counts, keeping in mind that day 1 is the first day of receiving the chemo medicine.

5.Discoloration
Darkening of the skin, nail beds, tongue, and gums may be seen. This is evidenced mostly after 3-4 cycles of chemotherapy, and is more common in patients receiving chemotherapy in combination with radiotherapy.

6.Hair loss
This is one of the more heartbreaking effects seen with most chemotherapy regimens. It is mostly encountered after the 2-3rd cycle of treatment. However, it all depends on the dose, schedule, and number of cycles of chemotherapy. But the good news is that it is a reversible change as hair will grow once the treatment is completed, although the texture or color may differ.

7.Effect on the gut
Starting from the mouth, denudation or erosion of the membrane cells may render the body vulnerable to infections caused by the commensals or the good bacteria which are otherwise normally present without harming the host. Hence, one becomes immunocompromised or susceptible to infections more often than the normal individual. All this may lead to a spectrum of conditions ranging from oral ulcers, fungal infections, to diarrhea, which in turn may lead to dehydration if adequate and timely care is not taken.

8.Constipation
This is one of the most common side-effects encountered in patients receiving chemotherapy. Interestingly, it may be due to the disease condition itself which causes debility, immobility, metastasis or spread of cancer to the gut. It could also be due to narcotic painkillers used for pain alleviation, or dehydration due to decreased fluid intake.

9.Fatigue
General weakness, tiredness and fatigue may be experienced during the treatment or course of chemotherapy.

10.Malnutrition
This may be a result of anorexia or loss of appetite, which is one of the symptoms of cancer itself, but chemotherapy may add to it by causing alteration of taste, mouth sores, dislike of food, diarrhea or constipation. Malnutrition may result in poorer response to the treatment, and have a deleterious effect on the overall health of the individual.

11.Effect on nervous system
Certain chemo drugs may have a neurotoxic component and may result in altered state of consciousness, altered gait, hearing loss, or tingling in hands and feet. These effects are usually temporary, but need attention if long lasting.

12.Effect on reproductive system:
Although this is a late complication of chemotherapy, one needs to know that during treatment, a low sperm count may be anticipated.

13.Secondary cancer
One of the rare complications documented is that certain chemo drugs may give rise to genetic mutations resulting in secondary cancers.

All the above stated effects can be managed effectively and prevented by taking certain precautions as the benefits of cancer treatment are usually overwhelming when compared to the side-effects.