Most of the symptoms relating to the side effects of chemotherapy can be prevented or alleviated. All of them will disappear with time.
Many normal, fast-regenerating healthy cells of the body are sensitive to cytostatic drugs. Millions of new cells are produced every day in, for example, the bone marrow, as well as in the scalp and in the mucous membranes of the mouth and the intestines.
Chemotherapy also destroys some of the healthy cells in the bone marrow, scalp and mucous membranes. Side effects related to this include low blood counts, hair loss, and digestive and intestinal problems.
Hair and chemotherapy
The regeneration of cells in the scalp can be disrupted by chemotherapy, causing hair loss in some patients. Sometimes hair comes off in large clumps. Hair loss can also occur on other parts of the body, including the eyebrows, beard, and pubic hair.
The nails are part of the skin and can also fall out. All patients receiving chemotherapy can be provided with a wig. When chemotherapy is over, hair and body hair will grow back.
Nausea caused by chemotherapy
Anti-nausea medication is given well before the beginning of chemotherapy.
It will be continued for as long as there are symptoms.
Appetite during treatments
In addition to chemotherapy, the cancer itself can cause loss of appetite and weight.
It is advisable to eat small portions at frequent intervals.
Cold food causes less nausea than hot food and might be easier to eat if mucous membranes in the mouth have been damaged.
Nutritional drinks are recommended if eating is difficult.
Mucous membranes
The body’s mucous membranes are not always regenerated fast enough during cancer treatment.
This can cause mouth ulcers, a dry mouth, nausea, diarrhoea and intestinal problems.
The symptoms will disappear after a while once chemotherapy ended.
Blood
The red blood cells transport oxygen to all organs and tissues of the body. Chemotherapy decreases the number of red blood cells in the body. This can result in a lower level of haemoglobin, which can cause tiredness and paleness.
The white blood cells protect the body against bacteria and viruses. When the body’s white blood cell count drops, susceptibility to infection increases. The risk of infection is usually the highest 7-14 days after chemotherapy. It is advisable to avoid contact with people with a cold during that time. If a patient develops a high temperature at home, she should contact the clinic.
Blood platelets (thrombocytes) help the blood to coagulate and wounds to heal.
Usually the bone marrow manages to recover, and the blood counts return to normal between cycles of chemotherapy. This will be monitored by blood tests.
Chemotherapy may be followed by hormone therapy, i.e. anti-oestrogen therapy, in order to reduce the oestrogen level as far as possible. This therapy is used if oestrogen and progesterone receptors are found in the tumour.