General Chemo Side Effects

Summary

General chemotherapy side effects refer to side effects seen across many types of chemotherapies. A common theme across these is that they affect rapidly dividing cells in the body.

One of the most noticeable is alopecia or hair loss, which occurs due to damage to rapidly-dividing cells in the hair follicles. Another common side effect is stomatitis, or painful sores in the mouth, caused by damage to the cells lining the oral cavity. Nausea and vomiting is also often seen, due to irrigation of the GI tract and stimulation of vomiting centers in the brain.

Importantly, chemotherapy can damage rapidly dividing cells in the bone marrow, leading to myelosuppression. This can lead to low red blood cell levels, causing fatigue and weakness; low white blood cell levels, which increases the risk of infection; as well as low platelet counts, which makes bruising and bleeding more likely.

Finally, most chemotherapy drugs are teratogenic, meaning they can harm a developing fetus. For this reason, both men and women should be advised to use contraception during treatment.

Key Points

• General Chemotherapy Side Effects
  • Bone Marrow Suppression
    • Leukopenia (low WBC)
      • Weakened immune system puts patient at increased risk for infection
      • Avoid live vaccines and infectious people
    • Anemia (low RBC)
      • Manifests as fatigue, pallor, weakness, and shortness of breath
    • Thrombocytopenia (low platelets)
      • Increased risk of bleeding and bruising
  • Gastrointestinal Effects
    • Nausea and Vomiting
      • Chemotherapy drugs are often given with antiemetics
    • Stomatitis
      • Inflammation and ulcers inside the mouth
  • Alopecia
    • Hair loss often occurs within 7-10 days of starting chemotherapy treatment
  • Teratogenic
    • Most chemotherapy drugs cause birth defects
    • Pregnancy should be avoided during treatment