Will I Get Side Effects with Cancer Chemotherapy?
Although chemotherapy can be an effective cancer treatment, side effects are common. The drugs used in chemotherapy to destroy cancerous cells can also do damage to healthy cells in bone marrow, the heart, lungs, kidneys, hair follicles, digestive tract and other parts of the body.
Side effects from cancer chemotherapy can vary from person to person, depending on general health, the type of cancer, how advanced the cancer is, and the type and dose of chemotherapy drugs. It can be difficult to predict what side effects you’ll feel during cancer chemotherapy until you undergo treatment.
Common Side Effects of Cancer Chemotherapy
Below is a list from the National Cancer Institute of some side effects linked with chemotherapy for cancer:
- Fatigue or exhaustion
- Nausea and vomiting
- Anemia
- Hair loss
- Weight loss or gain
- Poor appetite
- Constipation and diarrhea
- Fluid retention
- Increased chance of bleeding and bruising
- Infection
- Reproductive issues
- Mouth, gum and throat problems
- Nerve and muscle problems
- Sexual changes
- Skin and nail changes
- Vision changes
- Bladder and kidney problems
It's important to note that not everyone experiences every side effect from cancer chemotherapy. Some people get very few - and some experience none at all. Your doctor may even give you medicine to prevent certain cancer chemotherapy side effects from occurring in the first place.
If you do get side effects during cancer chemotherapy, know that most disappear following treatment. While recovery time from the side effects of cancer chemotherapy may vary, the majority of patients suffer no long-term health issues from them. When it comes to side effects from cancer chemotherapy, remember that the drawbacks of treatment are usually outweighed by the chance to slow down the progression of your cancer.
If you are now battling side effects from cancer chemotherapy and you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may have grounds for a legal claim. Talk to a mesothelioma attorney today to find out if you are entitled to compensation.