Source: Cancer Resource Room
Side
Effects of Treatment
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy
can cause side effects. Side effects occur
when normal cells are damaged from cancer
therapy. Side effects are different
for each person, even if you receive
the exact same treatment. Your
doctor will tell you before treatment
begins what side effects may result from
your treatment. Your treatment team will
work with you to lessen and control any
side effects you may have.
Common Side Effects of Cancer Treatments
- Gastrointestinal (GI) Symptoms
- Chemotherapy and radiation can
irritate the nerve endings in
the gastrointestinal tract and
brain. This causes nausea and
vomiting.
- If radiation is directed in the
pelvic area, or if chemotherapy
affects the lining of the intestines,
you may get diarrhea.
- Increased Risk of Infection
- Chemotherapy and radiation therapy
can kill healthy white blood
cells, which the body uses to
fight infection.
- Tiredness, Fatigue and Anemia
- Chemotherapy and radiation therapy
can affect healthy red blood
cells. If too many red blood
cells are destroyed, it can cause
anemia, tiredness, and/or fatigue.
- Bleeding
- Chemotherapy and radiation
therapy can also kill platelets.
Platelets are cells that
make your blood clot when
you get a cut or a bruise.
If too many platelets are
killed, you have an increased
risk of bleeding.
- Hair and skin changes
- Chemotherapy
and radiation therapy
can destroy hair cells, causing
hair loss.
- The area of skin
that receives the radiation
may become irritated,
red and sore.
Managing Side Effects
There are ways to help prevent and
reduce side
effects. While every person's experience
with cancer treatment is different, here
are some tips that help reduce
and lessen side effects:
- Talk with your doctor or
nurse about how you are feeling.
There are treatments
to manage nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,
constipation, fatigue/anemia, and
skin irritations.
- Drink a lot of
water (at least eight (8 ounce)
glasses) the day before, the day
of, and the day after a treatment
to help flush out your system.
- Eat well, but do not worry if you
are unable to eat for a brief
period of time. Try to eat bland,
small meals as often as you can.
- Try to exercise. Even a little exercise
is helpful. Although you may
not feel like getting up, moving
around will help your body recover
more quickly. Try to walk a little,
two or three times a day.
- Wash your
hands often, stay away from people
who are sick, and stay away from
crowded places. This will reduce
your chance of getting an infection.
- Get as much rest as you need. Plan
your activities to save energy
and forgive yourself if you don't
have the energy to do everything.
- Try to avoid any activity that can
cause cuts, nicks, or bruises.
It may take longer for you to heal.
- Ask your doctor or nurse what type
of products you can use if your
skin is irritated. Avoid exposing
your skin to extreme heat or cold.
Avoid direct sunlight.
What's New
To Search Pub Med, please see below.
Support
& Education Programs
We offer several support, educational,
and wellness programs such as "Cancer-Related
Fatigue...What You Should Know "
and "Coping with Cancer Pain"
and many others. Look for the current
offerings in the HOPES
calendar.
Services at Massachusetts General Hospital
|
