Permanent Chemotherapy Side Effects

Chemotherapy, the delivery of drugs to kill cancer cells, causes many unwanted side effects. Most of the side effects like nausea, fatigue and hair loss are non-life threatening and resolve once treatments are ended. There are some side effects however that may be permanent. That is why your treatment options should be discussed thoroughly with your doctor.

Bone Loss

• Pre-menopausal women may experience a loss of bone density, similar to what occurs during menopause. The ovaries produce hormones that help to maintain strong bones. Certain types of chemotherapy treatments can affect this hormone production, putting your bones at risk for developing osteoporosis, or thinning bones. Although hormone levels may return to normal after treatments, the bone density may not be returned to the normal level.

Heart Damage

• Some chemotherapy drugs can damage the heart muscle making it less effective in pumping the blood through the body. This condition can lead to a build-up of fluid and eventually lead to congestive heart failure. Signs to be aware of include swelling of the hands or feet, shortness of breath, dry cough and irregular heartbeat.

Infertility

• The cells of the reproductive system are rapidly dividing, meaning they are vulnerable to many of the chemotherapy agents. For men, the parts of the body that produce the sperm and the sperm itself can be permanently affected by chemotherapy treatments. Depending on the drug you are to be given, your doctor may advise that you freeze some of your sperm if you wish to father children in the future.
  For women, the ovaries can be permanently damaged by chemotherapy. The ovaries produce hormones essential to a woman's fertility and sex drive which means these functions are affected. Especially for women over 30 receiving treatments, their ovary function may not return to normal after treatments and chemotherapy can cause them to experience early menopause.

Lung Damage

• Certain chemotherapy drugs, like bleomycin, can cause damage to the lungs. Those who smoke and those over the age of 70 are at a higher risk of permanent lung damage. Damage to your lungs may cause shortness of breath, a dry cough and a fever. If you notice any change in your breathing, notify your doctor as stopping treatments prior to the lungs developing scar tissue may reverse the damage.

Hearing Loss

• Chemotherapy drugs, most commonly cis-platin, can cause tinnitus which is an abnormal noise in the ear. Although it is often referred to as a "ringing" sensation in the ear, it can also be a hissing, whistling or roaring sound. There is no specific treatment for tinnitus and it can lead to hearing loss.