What about the risks and side effects of chemotherapy?

placeholding invisible text

Average rating:

Cytotoxic drugs are powerful and often cause unwanted side-effects. Cytotoxic drugs work by killing cells which are dividing and so some normal cells are damaged too. However, side-effects vary from drug to drug. Even with the same drug, different people can react differently. Some people develop more severe side-effects than others who take the same drug. Sometimes, if side-effects are particularly severe, a change to a different drug may be an option.

Some of the most common and important side-effects are listed below. Other side-effects can occur. Your doctor or chemotherapy nurse will be able to discuss with you the likely side effects you may experience with the particular drug (or drugs) you will be receiving. Also, you can read a full list of possible side-effects of any drug on the leaflet from the drug manufacturer. This usually comes in the packaging with the drug and is also available on the internet at www.medicines.org.uk or www.macmillan.org.uk the Macmillan Cancer Support website.

At the end of this section there is a 'checklist' of symptoms which you should report straight away to a doctor if they occur whilst you are on a course of chemotherapy.

Tiredness
Tiredness (fatigue) is a common side-effect. It is likely that you will feel more tired than normal during a course of chemotherapy. You may need to cut back on your normal activities, plan regular rests, and if possible, take some regular light exercise. Some people feel overwhelmingly tired and may need to rely on other people to do routine daily chores.

Nausea and vomiting
It can be common to feel sick (nausea) during and after each cycle of treatment. Try to drink plenty of fluids even if you do not feel like it, to prevent dehydration. Sucking ice cubes is one tip to increase your fluid intake.

Anti-sickness medication will usually help and is commonly taken at the same time as, or just before, a cycle of chemotherapy. There are different types of anti-sickness medication. If one does not work well, a change to a different one may work better.

Effects on the blood and immune system
Cytotoxic drugs can affect the bone marrow. The bone marrow is where you make red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Problems which may occur include:

* Anaemia. This means a low level of red blood cells. If you develop anaemia you will feel tired and look pale. You may need a blood transfusion.
* Serious infection. You are more prone to infection if the level of white blood cells goes down too low. (You have less ability to fight off bacteria, viruses and other germs.) See a doctor straight away if you develop signs of infection such as fever or a sore throat. As you have a reduced capacity to fight infection you may be given a high dose of antibiotics directly into your bloodstream if you develop an infection.
* Bleeding problems. Platelets help the blood to clot when we cut ourselves. If the number of platelets in your blood goes down you may bruise easily and bleed for longer than usual after cuts. See a doctor urgently if you notice these symptoms. You may require a platelet transfusion if your platelet level goes very low.

Prior to each cycle of treatment, it is usual to have a blood test to check on your 'blood count'. This checks the level of your red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. If any of these are too low, then a treatment cycle may be delayed, the choice of drugs may be altered or you may be given treatment to boost the levels of these blood constituents.