Symptoms From Chemotherapy Cancer Treatment

Know the symptoms from chemotherapy cancer treatment to notify your physician if you notice any of them. Cancer patients that are treated with chemotherapy often notice several side effects. Do not put your health on the back burner.

Common symptoms from chemotherapy

There are many different types of chemotherapy medications on the market and different ones have different side effects. Almost all chemotherapy medications weaken the immune system, which is fatal for some patients. Many patients also experience fatigue and nausea during the course of their treatment. Hair loss is probably the most well known symptom from chemotherapy and hair also thins out without falling out. Most of these symptoms only occur during the duration of the chemotherapy treatment and they are resolved once treatment ends.

Less common symptoms

There are also many less common symptoms of chemotherapy. Some patients have difficulty concentrating or other cognitive issues. Allergic reactions to the medication are rare, but do occur. Pain, red skin, dry mouth and sexual impotence are also side effects of chemotherapy. Some types of chemotherapy cause infertility, which is important to know before starting the treatment so that patients can preserve their sperm or eggs if necessary. In very rare cases chemotherapy causes damage to organs, including the heart, brain and liver.

The benefits of chemotherapy usually outweigh the risks; however, if you notice any of the symptoms of chemotherapy, let your doctor know immediately. It is important for your physician to inform you of the normal and abnormal symptoms of chemotherapy.