It is very difficult to envisage the exact side effects of chemotherapy before the treatment begins. Although there are some common signs of the treatment, patients experience various symptoms depending on the severity of their condition, the dose of medication and the location of cancer.

1. A F F E C T I N G H U N D R E D S O F P A T I E N T S
SIDE EFFECTS OF
CHEMOTHERAPY

2. It is very difficult to envisage the exact side effects of
chemotherapy before the treatment begins. Although there are
some common signs of the treatment, patients experience
various symptoms depending on the severity of their
condition, the dose of medication and the location of cancer.
As we know, chemotherapy is the ultimate resort to fight cancer
cells following which even the healthy cells in the body are
destroyed.

3. Only a small chunk of patients
have mild or few side effects from
chemotherapy, and even fewer
have no symptoms at all.
At any given cancer treatment
center in the world, you will find
patients trying to cope with the
side effects of
chemotherapy, which includes
physically as well as emotionally
debilitating complications.

4. EXPERIENCING FATIGUE
Fatigue is not one such symptom that you would recognize
unless it is too overpowering. In case of patients undergoing
chemotherapy, fatigue is not just a general feeling; as a
patient, one might experience sever tiredness in doing some of
the routine tasks.
Light exercises might be helpful, but it is important to remember
that it should be very light.

5. ANEMIA OR LOW RED BLOOD CELL
COUNT
Chemotherapy lowers the red blood cell count. Organs and
tissues inside the body get the required oxygen from red blood
cells. If the count of red blood cell goes down extremely, the
body will not get adequate oxygen and anemia is the
consequence.
Anemic patients feel tired and that may have other symptoms
like palpitations, or irregular heartbeat.

6. Chemotherapy induced
anemia needs immediate
treatment. Blood transfusion
may be needed to improve
red blood cell count.
At a cancer treatment
center, patients are given the
necessary food and
treatment to improve the
condition.

7. INFLAMMATION OF THE MUCOUS
MEMBRANE OR MUCOSITIS
Chemotherapy attacks dividing cells like bone marrow
cells, blood cells, and cells present in the mucous membranes
lining the digestive system, including the
esophagus, mouth, intestines, stomach and rectum to anus area.
Chemotherapy is harsh enough to damage or destroy the cells in
the mucous membrane.
Some may experience pain while
1. Eating
2. Drinking
3. Talking.

8. APPETITE LOSS
Loss of appetite becomes a common after effect of
chemotherapy. Cancer cells affect the metabolism of the
body, and it worsens after chemotherapy.
If a patient loses appetite as a consequence of chemotherapy, it
will improve as soon as the treatment is over, even though it
might take some time.
The effect of appetite loss and consequent loss of weight depend
entirely on the chemotherapy treatment and the cancer type.

9. SKIN AND NAILS
Chemotherapy sometimes
affects the skin and nails. Nails
become brittle and flaky.
Skin may develop sensitivity
and quickly affected by
sunlight. Protection will be
needed against sunlight.

10. COGNITIVE PROBLEMS
Approximately one fifth of the patients undergoing
chemotherapy have reported some cognitive problem of the
other, which includes memory, thinking and attention. This can
often lead to a severe impact on the mundane tasks. Symptoms
could include:
1. Lack of concentration
2. Shorter span of attention
3. Memory problems
4. Comprehension problems
5. Judgment problems
6. Reasoning problems etc.

11. FERTILITY AND LIBIDO PROBLEMS
For most
people, chemotherapy may
lead to reduced sex drive. This
is a temporary phase and may
return immediately after the
treatment is over.
Depending on medication
administered, this therapy can
damage male sperm. Even
some females may lose libido
and fertility.