Genetic News Weblog

When observing personal symptoms that may conceivably lead to a diagnosis of cancer, it is difficult to keep one’s mind from imagining the worst of scenarios. And it doesn’t help that some of the treatments associated with different forms of cancer have their own sets of risks and consequences. Chemotherapy is among them.

Chemotherapy effects vary from patient to patient. The extent, type and length of any side effects often depend on the type of drugs used, the dosage and the overall well-being of the patient. Because cells like those found in your hair roots, nails, mouth or gastro-intestinal system are cells that reproduce very rapidly, they are the ones most vulnerable to chemotherapy treatments.

And while one individual may experience certain and strong discomforts, another may have no difficulty at all. The effects of chemotherapy depend not only on your dosage, illness and drug, but also on your own physical strength and current health. The noticeable impacts can also vary in their intensity or change over the course of your chemotherapy treatment.

So, while the chemotherapy effects listed here are common - they’re not automatic, nor are they standard. Remember, each person has differing experiences.

Upset Stomach and Vomiting

Nausea and vomiting are probably the two most common negative impacts of chemotherapy. Vomiting occurs when the drug stimulates a certain part of the brain called the chemoreceptor trigger zone - this then sends a message to the vomiting area of the brain. Fortunately, new drugs are being developed that limits the triggering of this response.

If nausea or vomiting are going to occur, it typically starts just a few hours after the treatment is completed and lasts for a short period.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea means having watery or loose stools three or more times in a day. It occurs during chemotherapy because the drugs are affecting the lining of your intestines. This chemotherapy reaction can last for a short period or intermittently throughout the duration of the treatment, depending on the drugs given and the dosage.

Mouth Sores

Because cells on the inside of the mouth are some of the fastest to regenerate in the body, they are the ones most susceptible to damage from chemotherapy. As a result, sores can develop, leading to possible infection and other problems. The esophagus is also vulnerable. A good defense is persistent oral hygiene.

To soothe a sore mouth, use a cotton swab to apply milk of magnesia to mouth sores, eat soft foods cold or at room temperature, avoid acidic foods or, if none of this works, talk to your doctor about a pain medication.

Hair Loss

Not all chemotherapy drugs cause hair loss, and some drugs only produce minimal thinning of the hair. Some people lose just the hair from their heads while others lose it all over their bodies. Again, it depends on the drug, the dose and the individual.

Hair loss won’t happen immediately and typically starts gradually, eventually escalating to hair coming out in larger clumps. It is one of the most dreaded chemotherapy effects, but it’s also temporary.

Tags: Cancer //