There are also other drugs that are used to treat cancer in different ways, including targeted therapy, hormone therapy, and immunotherapy. Critical side effects associated with chemotherapy used in cancer. Your treatment plan will depend on the cancer type, the chemotherapy drugs used, the treatment goal, and how your body responds. Chemotherapy can help fight cancer, but it also has side effects. The side effects listed below do not comprise an allinclusive list. Still, some side effects may take several months or longer to go away completely. Click the drug name to learn how it works and common side effects. These interactions may make side effects worse and affect how well chemo drugs. Cancer treatment side effects cancer institute nsw. These drugs kill cancer cells, but they may also harm normal cells, including cells in the mouth.
The type of chemo drugs you use can affect your experience try these tips to help manage some. Understanding side effects of drug therapy i page 3 introduction more than one million people in the united states are living with or are in remission from blood cancer leukemia, lymphoma. Cytotoxic drugs are often referred to as chemotherapy or antineoplastic drugs. Knowing different aspects of treatment protocols can allow patients to make wellinformed decisions. Aim chemotherapy side effects are often reported in clinical trials. For some people chemotherapy can cause long term changes in the body months or years after treatment. Purchase the smallest amount of agent feasible for work, or purchase the agent in the concentration for use. If you feel upset or anxious about how long treatment is taking or the impact of side effects. Chemotherapy information guide rogel cancer center. Important things to remember about the side effects of altretamine. Each person with cancer reacts differently to chemotherapy and its potential side effects. In rare cases, such as after years of strong chemotherapy, your hair follicles could shut down.
As chemotherapy kills cancer cells, it can damage some of your healthy cells as well. Pdf sideeffects associated with the cancer chemotherapy limit the scope of chemotherapeutic drugs and no data was available about these side effects. There are ways to prevent or control some side effects. You might wonder whether experiencing side effects is a sign that the chemotherapy is working. On average, 17% of patients discontinue aim due to unacceptable side effects. Sometimes, chemotherapy causes longterm side effects that dont go away. Understanding side effects of drug therapy i page 3 introduction more than one million people in the united states are living with or are in remission from blood cancer leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, myelodysplastic syndromes and myeloproliferative neoplasms. Listed on the following pages are the most common side effects. Side effects include problems with your teeth and gums. Chemotherapy is an aggressive form of chemical drug therapy meant to destroy rapidly growing cells in the body.
Incidence and severity of selfreported chemotherapy side. We will help you manage your side effects to make your treatment as easy as possible. They can be acute shortterm, chronic longterm, or permanent. Most chemotherapy side effects are temporary and disappear once your treatment is over.
These may include damage to your heart, lungs, nerve endings, kidneys, or reproductive organs. Chemotherapy side effects vomiting, hair loss, nerve. Preventing and controlling side effects is a major focus of your health care team, so talk with them about any side effects. Remember that chemotherapy side effects can impact each person differently. Having a dpd deficiency could make the side effects of the chemotherapy drugs. Unlike cancer cells, normal cells can recover, so most side effects are temporary. Some types of chemotherapy drugs are used for many types of cancer. Its usually used to treat cancer, as cancer cells grow and divide faster than. Side effects may occur just after treatment days or weeks or they may occur later months or years after the chemotherapy has been given. You may worry about the side effects of chemotherapy. The type of chemo drugs you use can affect your experience try these tips to help manage some common. Some common side effects are constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, hair loss, and certain bloodrelated symptoms such as anemia.
Chemotherapy or chemo is a type of cancer treatment that uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. A few of the drugs can be given by mouth, but most are. Most chemotherapy side effects go away shortly after youve finished chemotherapy. In this booklet, youll find practical information on managing side effects from chemotherapy so that your treatment goes as smoothly as possible.
Chemotherapy can produce side effects in some but not all people. Drugs you may also find a listing of acronyms a shorthand term used to refer to several medications used in a chemotherapy regimen with links to their corresponding drugs. Some of the most common side effects of chemotherapy affect digestion. Consider preparing a list of questions about side effects. Fortunately, doctors now have ways to reduce and even prevent these side effects.
Chemotherapy works by stopping or slowing the growth of cancer cells, which grow and divide quickly. When looking at how best to combine chemo drugs, doctors must look at interactions between chemo drugs and other medicines the person is taking, including overthecounter medicines, vitamins, and supplements. Chemotherapys side effects alopecia, gastrointestinal gi havoc, fatigue, and infectionhave earned their notoriety and generated oncology practitioners mantra. The navigating care library includes articles about cancer, chemotherapy regimens and drugs. If you feel upset or anxious about how long treatment is taking or the impact of side effects, let your doctor or nurse know. This is because low amounts of chemotherapy drugs may be passed in the semen or vaginal secretions. They depend on the type of cancer, where it is located, the drugs and dose used, and your general health. How your daily activities are affecteddid any side effect of your medication keep you from. As each persons individual medical profile and diagnosis is different, so is hisher reaction to. Chemotherapy differs from surgery or radiation in that it treats the whole body. Managing chemotherapy side effects cancer council nsw. Medicines or drugs that destroy cancer cells are called cancer chemotherapy chemo. When you and your doctor are deciding on a chemotherapy regimen, weighing the benefits versus the side effects is part of the process. The purpose of this guide is to help you find information and support on chemotherapy.
Understanding chemotherapy cancer council australia. Side effects of chemotherapy canadian cancer society. Consider preparing a list of questions about side effects to ask your health care team so that you. Managing the side effects of chemotherapy university health. Store chemotherapy and other hazardous drugs in an area labeled chemotherapeutichazardous drugs. Many people feel concerned about the side effects of chemotherapy, but most side effects are temporary and they can often be controlled or reduced. For information about the 4th angel mentoring program visit. Chemotherapy and side effects chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. Not all chemotherapy drugs have the same side effects and the severity of those side effects is different with each person, drug and dose. Chemotherapy drugs go through your bloodstream and can affect your whole body. Side effects of oral treatments are similar to those of traditional ones.
A study of canadian general practice community pharmacists revealed that only 18% were comfortable managing chemotherapy s side effects. Side effects are often predictable in terms of their onset and duration. Side effects occur when chemotherapy damages these normal cells. A guide to oral anticancer treatment university of michigan. Methods we conducted a prospective cohort study of individuals with. Different chemotherapy drugs cause different side effects. It is important to keep track of any side ef fects you are having so your cancer care team can help you manage these. Jul 30, 2014 the 9 major side effects of chemotherapy part i this is the first of a twopart series that talks about the side effects of chemotherapy, and what measures doctors take to help patients cope with them. Mar 25, 2020 most chemotherapy side effects go away shortly after youve finished chemotherapy.
Pdf side effects of chemotherapy in cancer patients and. However, side effects usually do not indicate how successful the chemotherapy is going to be. Together, these drugs and chemotherapy are often called anticancer drugs. This can prevent new hair from growing, and you may become permanently bald. Over time, as the effects of the chemo on your hair follicles wear off, your hair will probably go back to the way it was before treatment. More specifically, this therapy is administered to destruct cancer cells. Having a dpd deficiency could make the side effects of the chemotherapy drugs fluorouracil and capecitabine worse. Sep 10, 2017 there are some common side effects that usually go away once treatment is over. Drugs that are given into the bloodstream through an iv called intravenous chemotherapy or infusion therapy. It can stop the growth of a tumor in the breast and kill cancer cells that have spread to other parts of the body.
The objective of this study was to describe the frequency and severity of patientreported chemotherapy side effects in routine care across treatment centres in australia. Sunshine coast hospital and health service homecare information chemotherapy 1033v2 january 2016 information for patients and their families this fact sheet is a guide for patients and carers to safely manage cytotoxic drugs and related waste at home. Technically, the term chemotherapy usually refers to cytotoxic drugs which affect rapidly dividing cells. It is sometimes the first choice for treating many cancers. Before you start chemotherapy, a doctor, a nurse or pharmacist will tell you about the medicines you will get and the side effects you may have. Side effects of chemotherapy cancer in general cancer. Healthy cells usually recover after chemotherapy is over, so most side effects gradually go away. The side effects you may get will depend on the type and dose of chemotherapy you get. However, it may also include some antibiotics along with other medications for treating severe infection or illness.
These interactions may make side effects worse and affect how well chemo drugs work. Like all cancer therapies, chemotherapy drugs have side effects. Dry mouth and mouth sores that form on the tongue, lips, gums, or in the throat can make it difficult to chew and swallow. Get ready for possible side effects of chemotherapy mayo clinic. Current drugs or other approaches to counteract chemotherapyinduced adverse effects are often incompletely effective, frequently do not.
Altretamine drug information chemocare side effects. Feeling tired or having little energy is a common side effect of many types of chemotherapy. Side effects of chemotherapy include illness and infection, bleeding easily, hair loss, and nausea or vomiting. Like all cancer therapies, chemotherapy drugs have side effects, some of which can be serious. They tend to gradually improve once treatment stops and the normal, healthy cells recover. Chemotherapy is a widely used treatment for cancer. Sometimes, chemotherapy causes longterm side effects. Healthy cells can also be affected by chemotherapy treatments. Chemotherapy and your mouth national institute of dental.
It may be mild in some or severe in others, depending upon the individual. Get ready for possible side effects of chemotherapy mayo. Tell the doctor or healthcare team if you have changes to your eyes. Occurrence of specific side effects will vary according to the chemotherapy or medications used. You may experience no side effects with some drugs and severe side effects with others. When you and your doctor are deciding on a chemotherapy regimen, weighing the benefits versus the side effects. If possible, do not work with chemotherapy hazardous drugs in. Chemotherapy can cure cancer, prolong life, or reduce symptoms.
This guide provides links and references to reliable and current. However, in addition to the general side effects seen, specific side effects can result from certain drugs. Chemotherapy side effects vomiting, hair loss, nerve damage. Some chemotherapy drugs cause eye changes, such as blurry vision, watery eyes and trouble wearing contact lenses. Many side effects occur because chemotherapy targets rapidly dividing cells, both normal and abnormal. Thus, the general side effects of chemotherapy include bone marrow suppression, gastrointestinal problems nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and alopecia. Some chemotherapy drugs can cause painful side effects, such as aching in the muscles and joints, headaches and stomach pains. Most side effects are shortterm and can be managed.
In this booklet, youll find practical information on managing side effects from chemotherapy. Most people do not experience all of the side effects listed. Not everyone experience chemotherapy side effects the same way. May 28, 2014 having a low white blood cell count is one of the most serious side effects of chemotherapy. Most are often temporary and can be treated or managed. Pain may be felt as burning, numbness, tingling or shooting pains in the hands and feet called peripheral nerve damage. Importantly, not all people who experience a side effect from aim chemotherapy will experience it in the same way. Pain from nerve damage, such as burning, numbness, or shooting pains, usually in the fingers and toes. Chemotherapy drug interactions and side effects when looking at how best to combine chemo drugs, doctors must look at interactions between chemo drugs and other medicines the person is taking, including overthecounter medicines, vitamins, and supplements.
Side effects of chemotherapy cancer council victoria. Most people dont know that anticancer treatment includes many different drugs that are given in a variety of ways such as. Chemotherapy has greatly improved in recent years, and most side effects can be treated. Be aware that neither the absence nor presence of side effects can be interpreted as an indication of your treatments effectiveness. However, chemotherapy is able to cure only about 1015% of all cancer patients. Counseling about any harmful risk to the fetus should be performed in a. However, they also kill the good cells, like your infectionfighting white blood cells. Chemotherapy and other hazardous drugs safe use guidelines.
The side effects vary depending on the drugs used, and they also vary from one individual to another. Your doctor may do physical examinations and other tests to see if the cancer has shrunk or disappeared after chemotherapy. Because modern immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors blocks the bodys natural safeguards that prevent immune overactivation, it can also affect normal tissues and cause autoimmune side effects. Chemotherapy fact sheet sunshine coast hospital and. Cancer cells tend to grow fast, and chemo drugs kill fastgrowing cells. Talk with your health care provider about how to manage them. Many different kinds of medicines are used to cure or control the growth and spread of. The information below describes side effects that might be caused by traditional or standard chemotherapy. Side effects of chemotherapy drugs ins00000eir0000 33 3. Some chemotherapy drugs can cause painful side effects.
1134 441 1138 1355 1004 411 429 589 291 620 928 547 1406 682 1521 243 1176 324 812 1470 1375 1278 587 1019 710 96 129 629 379 707 352 179 547 1203