Breast Cancer Chemotherapy | Side effects of Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy can cause different side effects to different people due to different administration of different drugs and the dosage of drugs.

A particular drug may not be suited to some people but the same drug may be useful for some others. A lot depends on finding the right dose that will be effective against the cancer but still be tolerable for each person. The doctor has to monitor this aspect. Of course, drugs are available to somewhat manage and control these side effects. Some of the side effects of chemotherapy are:

Nausea and Vomiting: Some people never have nausea or vomiting. Others are nauseated every day of treatment. Some people have nausea that lingers more than a week beyond chemotherapy. However, these side effects can almost always be controlled, or at least substantially reduced, by a variety of drugs and lifestyle changes.

Hair loss: Chemotherapy may make hair loss completely, cause it to thin, or not affect it at all. The doctor will be able to tell how specific drug will affect hair. Most people’s hair will begin to grow after the treatments are over. It’s not unusual for the hair to come back in a different color or texture. Hair loss can occur on all parts of the body—not just the head. Sometimes it falls out right away, sometimes after a few treatments.

Fatigue and anemia: Many women experience fatigue after breast cancer treatment. This fatigue can range from mild to nearly debilitating. The fatigue is often the result of anemia, a condition caused when chemotherapy reduces red blood cell count.

Mouth sores: Chemotherapy can cause sores in the mouth and in the throat. These sores can easily become infected from bacteria and viruses present in the mouth. The drugs can also make mouth tissues dry or irritated and cause them to bleed.

Taste and smell changes: Chemotherapy may cause changes in taste and smell sensations. Foods may taste bitter or rancid, and it may develop an aversion to certain foods. Many women report that their food tastes metallic. This happens because chemotherapy alters the receptor cells in mouth that tell the brain the flavor tasted and the odor smelled. Sensations of taste and smell should return to normal several weeks after treatment has stopped.

Suppression of the immune system, infertility and diarrhea are also the side effects of chemotherapy.

Menopause and Fertility: During chemotherapy, the menstrual periods may become irregular or may stop altogether. If it is childbearing age, periods may come back once the treatment has stopped. But if it is close to menopause, the periods may never come back. That means that it will not only stop having periods, but also may not be able to conceive a child.

Apart from the above, there are other side effects which include fluid retention, rashes, irritated bladder, swelling and soreness of the mucous membranes, and numbness and aching of the joints, hands, and feet.