Treatment Side Effects
Cancer and related treatments can cause a variety of short- and long-term side effects. Many side effects can be prevented or managed. Let your care team know if you experience any side effects from treatment.
- Anemia (Low Red Blood Cell Count)
- Bleeding (Low Platelet Count/Thrombocytopenia)
- Bone Health and Osteoporosis
- Cardiac (Heart) Toxicity
- Constipation and Diarrhea
- Depression
- Difficulty Communicating
- Eye Changes
- Fatigue
- Flu-like Symptoms
- Hair Loss (Alopecia)
- Infection (Low White Blood Cell Count)
- Infertility
- Loss of Appetite/Taste Changes
- Lymphedema
- Memory Changes (Chemo Brain)
- Mouth, Gum and Throat Problems
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Pelvic Pain/Incontinence
- Peripheral Neuropathy
- Sexual Health
- Skin and Nail Changes
- Sleep Disturbances
- Swelling (Fluid Retention)
- Urination Changes
- Weight Gain
Call Your Doctor
Call your doctor if you have:
- Fever greater than 100.5 degrees, chills or other symptoms of infection
- Bleeding or severe bruising
- Depression or anxiety that interferes with daily activities
- Extreme fatigue
- Inability to keep fluids down
- Pain, burning or bleeding when passing urine
- Rash or other allergic reactions t medication
- Severe constipation or diarrhea
- Shortness of breath, persistent cough or colored phlegm
- Soreness or sores in the mouth or throat
- Unrelieved pain and.or vomiting
Second Cancers
Some chemotherapy medications increase the risk of blood cancers, such as leukemia. The risk is small and occurs an average of 10 years after treatment. Your oncologist can discuss your risk with you.