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Risks
By Mayo Clinic staffSide effects of chemotherapy drugs can be significant. Each drug has different side effects. Ask your doctor about the side effects of the particular drugs you'll receive.
Side effects that occur during chemotherapy treatment
More common side effects of chemotherapy drugs that can occur during treatment include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Hair loss
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Mouth sores
- Pain
- Constipation
- Easy bruising
Many of these side effects can be prevented or treated. Most side effects subside after treatment ends.
Long-lasting and late-developing side effects
Chemotherapy drugs can also cause side effects that don't become evident until months or years after treatment. Late side effects vary depending on the chemotherapy drug, but can include:
- Damage to lung tissue
- Heart problems
- Infertility
- Kidney problems
- Nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy)
- Risk of a second cancer
Ask your doctor if you have a risk of any late side effects. Ask what signs and symptoms you should be alert for that may signal a problem.
- Freter CE, et al. Systemic therapy. In: Abeloff MD, et al. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone; 2008:449.
- Chemotherapy and you: Support for people with cancer. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/chemotherapy-and-you/allpages/print. Accessed Jan. 22, 2009.
- Part I: Understanding chemotherapy. Cancer.Net. http://www.cancer.net/patient/Library/Cancer.Net+Features/Treatments%2C+Tests%2C+and+Procedures/Part+I%3A+Understanding+Chemotherapy. Accessed Jan. 22, 2009.
- Part III: Side effects of chemotherapy. Cancer.Net. http://www.cancer.net/patient/Library/Cancer.Net+Features/Treatments%2C+Tests%2C+and+Procedures/Part+III%3A+Side+Effects+of+Chemotherapy?cpsextcurrchannel=1. Accessed Jan. 22, 2009.
- Part II: Chemotherapy - Your personal experience. Cancer.Net. http://www.cancer.net/patient/Library/Cancer.Net+Features/Treatments%2C+Tests%2C+and+Procedures/Part+II%3A+Chemotherapy%26mdash%3BYour+Personal+Experience?cpsextcurrchannel=1. Accessed Jan. 22, 2009.
- What are the different ways to take chemotherapy? American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/ETO_1_4X_What_Are_The_Different_Ways_To_Take_Chemotherapy.asp?sitearea=ETO. Accessed Jan. 22, 2009.
- Chemotherapy: What it is, how it works. American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/ETO_1_2X_Chemotherapy_What_It_Is_How_It_Helps.asp. Accessed Jan. 22, 2009.
- Learning more about your disease. National Marrow Donor Program. http://www.marrow.org/PATIENT/Undrstnd_Disease_Treat/Lrn_about_Disease/index.html. Accessed Jan. 27, 2009.
- Methotrexate (Rheumatrex). American College of Rheumatology. http://www.rheumatology.org/public/factsheets/medications/methotrexate.asp?aud=pat. Accessed Jan. 27, 2009.
- Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan). American College of Rheumatology. http://www.rheumatology.org/public/factsheets/medications/cyclophosphamide.asp?aud=pat. Accessed Jan. 27, 2009.
