Common Side Effects

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Common side effects What are side effects? Cancer treatment can involve surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, biological therapy or a combination of treatments. Destroying cancer cells requires powerful treatments, and some healthy cells may be damaged in the process. This damage to healthy cells can cause side effects. Every cancer patient is different, and the timing, nature and severity of side effects will depend on a number of factors, including the following: the type of treatment the part of the body being treated the treatment schedule the general health of the patient other medications the patient is taking. A patient’s healthcare team is the best source of information about which side effects the patient might experience. The healthcare team will explain which side effects to report right away and which ones can wait until the next scheduled appointment. If a patient notices any unexpected side effects, they should talk to the healthcare team about it. The healthcare team can help the patient find ways to reduce side effects or to make them easier to deal with. It may also be possible to change the treatment schedule, alter medications or introduce additional medications to manage side effects. Some people think that having side effects means the treatment is working and that not having them means it’s not working. Side effects are caused by damage to healthy cells during treatment—they do not give any indication of how well the treatment is working on the cancer cells. When are side effects most likely to happen? Side effects can happen at any time during a cancer treatment program. Some side effects may begin during the administration of a treatment; others may begin later the same day or a few days after that. When do side effects go away? The damage to healthy cells that causes side effects is mostly temporary, and the healthy cells will repair themselves in time. Most side effects gradually disappear after the treatment is over. The length of time a side effect lasts depends on the treatment schedule, the type of treatment, the type of side effect and the patient’s general physical health. Some side effects may continue for weeks or months after treatment. Some side effects can be permanent. Types of side effects The following list of side effects is not exhaustive, but it gives an overview of the more common types: A anemia anxiety B bladder, kidney or urinary tract changes bladder or rectal irritation bleeding or bruising C changes in appetite changes in feelings about sexuality changes in memory and concentration changes in the muscles or nerves changes to the teeth and gums constipation coughing D depression diarrhea difficulty swallowing dryness of the eyes, nose, mouth or throat E earaches or difficulty hearing F fatigue and flu-like symptoms fertility changes H hair loss hand and foot syndrome L lymphedema M menopausal symptoms mouth sores N nausea or vomiting S skin changes susceptibility to infections swelling of brain tissues swelling or puffiness sleeping See also Managing Side Effects Fatigue and flu-like symptoms Fatigue may be related to the type of cancer, the treatment type, poor appetite, lack of exercise, or drugs to stop nausea, anxiety or depression. These feelings of fatigue are different than normal feelings of being tired: they are not always relieved by rest, and they may remain for some time after the cancer treatment ends. <return to subject list> Susceptibility to infections Many chemotherapy drugs affect white blood cells in the bone marrow. White blood cells are a key part of the body’s immune system and defend against viruses and bacteria. A low number of white blood cells means a patient is more at risk for infection. <return to subject list> Bleeding or bruising Chemotherapy can affect the body’s ability to produce platelets. If a person’s platelet count becomes very low, they may bleed or bruise more easily than usual, even after a minor injury. <return to subject list> Anemia Chemotherapy can affect the production of red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen to all parts of the body. When a person’s red blood cell count is low, their body tissues don’t get enough oxygen. This condition is called anemia, which may lead to feeling tired, dizzy or short of breath. <return to subject list> Hair loss Hair loss is a common side effect of chemotherapy, but not all drugs cause hair loss. Radiation therapy may also cause hair loss in the area that has been treated with the radiation. Some people find that the hair that grows back is slightly different in colour or texture. Dealing with hair loss Hair Loss Expert website <return to subject list> Skin changes Chemotherapy may cause minor skin irritations, such as redness, rashes, itching, peeling, dryness or acne. Some chemotherapy drugs may cause the skin and veins to become darker in colour. Fingernails and toenails may also become darker, yellowed, brittle or cracked. Radiation therapy can cause skin changes where the radiation has passed through the skin. The skin may look as if it is sunburned or tanned, and it may become red, irritated or swollen. <return to subject list> Hand and foot syndrome Some chemotherapy causes dry, red skin on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet, sometimes accompanied by numbness, tingling or pain. This condition may progress to blistering of the skin, especially on pressure points, and eventually to peeling and splitting of the skin. <return to subject list> Dryness of the eyes, nose, mouth or throat Some chemotherapy drugs can make the eyes very watery, red, sore or dry, which may cause temporary blurriness or haziness in vision. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy to the head and neck can also make the nose, mouth and throat dry. Talking, chewing and swallowing can be difficult when the mouth or throat feels dry. <return to subject list> Coughing Radiation therapy to the chest can lead to a cough or shortness of breath. The amount of mucus in the cough may increase as the treatment continues. <return to subject list> Changes to the teeth and gums The chances of getting cavities are increased during radiation therapy to the head and neck. If the radiation causes the gums to swell in a patient who wears dentures, the dentures may no longer fit well. <return to subject list> Mouth sores Chemotherapy or radiation therapy to the head and neck may lead to painful sores in the mouth, which can make it difficult to eat or drink. <return to subject list> Difficulty swallowing Sometimes chewing and swallowing is difficult even if it is not painful. Radiation therapy to the head and neck may make the jaw feel stiff, and radiation therapy to the chest may cause a patient to feel like they have a lump in their throat. <return to subject list> Changes in appetite Radiation therapy and chemotherapy can cause temporary changes in taste and smell, which can make foods seem less appetizing. Some people lose interest in food completely and can’t eat, even though they know they need to. Other people may gain weight from frequent snacking to control nausea. <return to subject list> Nausea or vomiting Some chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapy to the head, neck, stomach or abdomen may cause nausea or vomiting. <return to subject list> Diarrhea Some cancer treatments and medications can cause loose, frequent stools. <return to subject list> Constipation Constipation may be caused by cancer, its treatments or pain medications. This problem also may occur if a patient’s diet lacks enough fluid or fibre or if he or she has been bedridden. <return to subject list> Bladder or rectal irritation Radiation therapy to the pelvis can cause bladder or rectal irritation. The abdomen may also feel bloated and gassy. An irritated bladder may trigger frequent urination, which may be painful. The urine may have an unpleasant odour. With an irritated rectal area, there may be pain or an itchy feeling during a bowel movement. <return to subject list> Bladder, kidney or urinary tract changes Some chemotherapy drugs can affect the bladder or kidneys. Urine may turn red, bright yellow, green or blue, and its odour may change. Some men find that the colour or odour of their semen is affected. <return to subject list> Changes in the muscles or nerves Chemotherapy treatment can make muscles feel unusually weak, or it may make a patient lose his or her sense of balance. Some chemotherapy drugs cause a tingling or burning sensation in the hands or feet. In some cases, the legs may feel numb and the patient may have trouble walking. <return to subject list> Swelling or puffiness Swelling or puffiness in the face, hands, feet or abdomen may be a sign that the body is retaining too much fluid. Certain chemotherapy drugs, the type of cancer, or hormonal changes related to the treatment can cause fluid retention. <return to subject list> Lymphedema Lymphedema involves an excessive swelling of a body part from the accumulation of lymph fluid. It can be temporary or chronic and can range from mild swelling that comes and goes, to significant swelling in one or more regions of the body. Lymphedema can result from cancer, surgery or radiation treatment, especially when lymph nodes are removed or damaged. <return to subject list> Swelling of brain tissues Radiation therapy to the brain can cause swelling of brain tissues. The radiation therapy team will carefully monitor and manage this possible side effect. <return to subject list> Earaches or difficulty hearing Radiation therapy to the brain, head or neck may lead to earaches or difficulty hearing. <return to subject list> Anxiety Starting cancer treatment makes many patients feel anxious. Although feeling anxious or afraid is an emotional state, it can have effects on the body that may affect treatment. Sometimes feeling anxious can be a symptom of depression. <return to subject list> Depression Each person reacts differently when diagnosed with cancer and will find different ways to cope with the news. Starting cancer treatment can lead to new worries and fears that may make a patient feel sad or down. <return to subject list> Trouble sleeping Having trouble sleeping (insomnia) is a common problem during chemotherapy. Pain, anxiety, depression and some medications can affect sleep. <return to subject list> Changes in memory and concentration Changes in memory and concentration can be subtle, but a patient may have trouble with short-term memory, such as recalling the name of a friend, or doing simple arithmetic. It’s not clear whether these troubles are caused by chemotherapy or other factors, such as anxiety, depression, changes in routine and poor nutrition. Some treatments and certain types of cancer can affect the brain. <return to subject list> Fertility changes Depending on the chemotherapy drugs taken, the patient’s age and his or her general health, chemotherapy or radiation therapy to the pelvis may affect the sexual organs. This can lead to infertility, which is sometimes permanent. <return to subject list> Menopausal symptoms Chemotherapy drugs or radiation therapy to the pelvis can affect the ovaries and reduce the amount of hormones they produce. Some women find that their menstrual periods become irregular or stop completely, which may bring on symptoms related to menopause. Additional menopause-like symptoms can include hot flashes and dry vaginal tissues. <return to subject list> Changes in feelings about sexuality Some people find that their sex lives change in some way during cancer treatment. Sexual interest can decline because of the physical and emotional stresses of having cancer and going through treatment. A partner’s concerns or fears for the patient can also affect the sexual relationship. <return to subject list> See also: Managing Side Effects		Can't find the information you need? Tell us, and we'll help.