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April 13, 2024

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MANAGING SIDE EFFECTS OF CANCER TREATMENT

Side Effects of Cancer Treatment – What You Need to Know
 * Author:
   Dr. C.H. Weaver M.D.
 * Updated:
   Jul 23, 2023
   Original:
   Dec 5, 2020



Side Effects of Cancer Treatment – What You Need to Know

 * Home
 * Treatment & Care

 * 
 * 
 * 



MEDICALLY REVIEWED BY C.H. WEAVER M.D. MEDICAL EDITOR UPDATED 7/2023

The treatment of a cancer may include the use of chemotherapy, radiation
therapy, targeted therapy, surgery, or some combination of all of these or other
therapeutic options. All of these treatment options are directed at killing or
eradicating cancer cells. Unfortunately, cancer treatments may also damage
normal, healthy cells that are not affected by the cancer. The result of this
damage is a complication, or side effect, of treatment.



cancerconnect.com


WHY DO SIDE EFFECTS OCCUR?

Side effects occur because most cancer treatments cannot distinguish between
cancer cells and normal, healthy cells. For example, chemotherapy damages
rapidly dividing cells, a hallmark trait of cancer cells. In the process,
healthy cells that are also rapidly dividing, such as blood cells and the cells
lining the mouth and GI tract are also damaged. Radiation therapy kills some
healthy cells that are in the path of the radiation or near the cancer being
treated. Newer radiation therapy techniques can reduce, but not eliminate this
damage.






WHY ARE SIDE EFFECTS IMPORTANT?

Side effects of treatment cause inconvenience, discomfort, and occasionally even
fatality to patients. Additionally, and perhaps more importantly, side effects
may also prevent doctors from delivering the prescribed dose of therapy at the
specific time and schedule of the treatment plan. This is extremely important to
understand since the expected outcome from therapy is based on delivering
treatment at the dose and schedule of the treatment plan. In other words, side
effects not only cause discomfort and unpleasantness, but may also limit a
patient’s ability to achieve the best outcome from treatment by preventing the
delivery of therapy at its optimal dose and time. Fortunately, in the last 15
years there has been a great deal of progress in the development of treatments
to help prevent and control the side effects of cancer treatment. These
compounds have led to vast improvements in the management of symptoms associated
with cancer treatment, allowed for greater accuracy and consistency concerning
the administration of cancer treatment, and have made many cancer treatments
more widely available to patients throughout the world.




COMMON SIDE EFFECTS

 * Anemia
 * Depression
 * Dry Skin - Rash
 * Fatigue
 * Hair Loss
 * Infection/Fever
 * Low Blood Counts
 * Mouth Sores
 * Nausea and Vomiting
 * Neutropenia
 * Pain
 * Reproduction/Sexuality
 * Thrombocytopenia




Scroll to Continue




Lung Cancer Treatment


CHECKPOINT INHIBITOR - CHEMOTHERAPY FOR TREATMENT OF SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER

Update on role of Tecentriq, Imfinzi, Opdivo, Keytruda and Adebrelimab for
treatment of Small Cell Lung Cancer.

By Dr. C.H. Weaver M.D.Apr 11, 2024
Newly Diagnosed


TISSUE AGNOSTIC - GENOMIC BASED TREATMENT – A PARADIGM SHIFT IN CANCER TREATMENT

FDA Approvals of Enhertu, Rozlytrek, Vitrakvi, Jemperli & other "tissue
agnostic" cancers shifts cancer treatment toward genomic testing

By Dr. C.H. Weaver M.D.Apr 10, 2024
Myeloproliferative Neoplasms Overviews


TREATMENT OF MYELOFIBROSIS

Myelofibrosis is a type of blood cancer that is chronic and progressive in
nature characterized by the abnormal development of bone marrow blood producing
cells and the formation of scar tissue in the bone marrow.

By Dr. C.H. Weaver M.D.Apr 8, 2024


SIDE EFFECTS OF IMMUNOTHERAPY

 * Understanding side effects of immunotherapy


LESS COMMON SIDE EFFECTS OF CANCER AND ITS TREATMENT

 * Blood flow Problems Bruising and Bleeding Blood Clots Superior Vena Cava
   Syndrome Blood Test Abnormalities Electrolyte Imbalance Hypercalcemia Tumor
   Lysis Syndrome Common Cold Cough Flu-like Syndromes
 * Gastrointestinal Complications Abdominal Pains Constipation Diarrhea
   Heartburn
 * Swelling Lymphedema Water Retention
 * Sexual issues Impotence Vaginal Dryness
 * Mental/Emotional Problems Anxiety Forgetfulness Post-traumatic Stress
 * Nervous System Problems Confusion/Delirium Dizziness Numbness and Tingling
   Seizures
 * Nutritional Issues Dry Mouth Poor Appetite Taste Changes Cachexia
 * Weight Changes Weight Gain Weight Loss
 * Organ Problems Allergic Reaction Bladder Bone Pain Eyes Ears/Hearing Heart
   Kidney Liver Lung
 * Skin Reactions Dry Skin Flushing Hand-foot Syndrome Hyperpigmentation
   Injection Site Reaction Itching Photosensitivity Radiation Recall Rash




LONG TERM SIDE EFFECTS

 * Cardiac Toxicity
 * Growth Problems
 * Menopause
 * Sterility
 * Secondary Malignancies





cancerconnect


THINGS TO KNOW ....

 * How is chemotherapy delivered?
 * Managing Chemotherapy Side Effects
 * Understanding Side Effects of Checkpoint Inhibitor Immunotherapy
 * Understanding and Monitoring Your Blood Count
 * When to Call Your Doctor
 * Chemo Brain


Tags
terms:
Chemotherapy Side EffectsSide Effects Of Cancer TreatmentToxicity
By
Dr. C.H. Weaver M.D.

Dr. Charles Weaver is a Medical Oncologist, and the founder and editor of
CancerConnect. After training at University of Pennsylvania, Fred Hutchinson
Cancer Center and The National Institute of Health Dr Weaver founded
CancerConnect with the goal of providing information and support to cancer
patients and their caregivers. He has published in the New England Journal of
Medicine, Blood, Journal of Clinical Oncology and has authored over 9000
articles for patients on the management of cancer.

 * 
 * 
 * 





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STARTING CHEMOTHERAPY? - AN OVERVIEW OF WHAT TO EXPECT AND WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

A Doctor outlines what you need to know about chemotherapy and provides answers
to frequently asked questions.

By Dr. C.H. Weaver M.D.Nov 18, 2023
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SIDE EFFECTS OF TREATMENT: FEVER/INFECTION

Fever and Infection are common side effecst of cancer treatment; why does it
happen? When should you call the doctor? How can you prevent it?

By Dr. C.H. Weaver M.D.Nov 17, 2023
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SIDE EFFECTS OF TREATMENT: ANEMIA

What are the symptoms of anemia and how is it diagnosed and managed in cancer
patients.

By Dr. C.H. Weaver M.D.Jul 7, 2023

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SIDE EFFECTS OF CANCER TREATMENT: HEART/CARDIAC TOXICITY OVERVIEW

Feb is national heart disease awareness month. Understand the side effects of
cancer treatment on your heart.

By Dr. C.H. Weaver M.D.Jan 26, 2022
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SIDE EFFECT OF CANCER TREATMENT: ABDOMINAL PAIN

Abdominal pain may occur as a side effect of cancer treatment and presents as a
dull ache, cramping or sharp pain.

By CancerConnectFeb 1, 2022
Treatment & Care


SIDE EFFECTS OF CANCER TREATMENT: ITCHING (PRURITUS) OVERVIEW

Itching can be a common side effect of cancer and its treatment that can be
effectively managed.

By Dr. C.H. Weaver M.D.Aug 8, 2020
Treatment & Care


SIDE EFFECTS OF TREATMENT: "CHEMO BRAIN"

Understand the signs and symptoms of "chemo brain" and what you can do to
prevent and cope.

By Dr. C.H. Weaver M.D.Nov 17, 2023
Treatment & Care


SIDE EFFECT OF TREATMENT: HEARING LOSS

Some cancer treatments and medications can cause hearing loss or ear dammage.

By Dr. C.H. Weaver M.D.Feb 11, 2022

Treatment & Care


RADIATION THERAPY FOR CANCER TREATMENT. PROTONS, EBRT, BRACHYTHERAPY, MANAGEMENT
OF SIDE EFFECTS AND ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Radiation therapy for cancer treatment. Protons, EBRT, Brachytherapy, Management
of side effects and Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

By Dr. C.H. Weaver M.D.Apr 2, 2023
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