Side Effects of Aggressive Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a form of cancer treatment that works by introducing powerful cancer killing drugs into the bloodstream intravenously or in pill form. While it is a very successful in reducing cancerous cell count, chemotherapy is an exceptionally harsh form of treatment, as it kills healthy cells throughout the body in addition to malignant cells. Because of this it produces a wide range of side effects across many organ systems.

Nausea and Vomiting

• One of the most characteristic side effects of an aggressive bout of chemotherapy is digestive disruption. Most patients will experience severe nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite as a result.

Hair Loss

• Another typical side effect of aggressive chemotherapy treatments is hair loss.

Altered Menstrual Cycles

• Women who are undergoing aggressive chemotherapy will experience a change in their menstrual cycles and may notice them to be lighter.

Lowered Immune System Function

• Aggressive chemotherapy often lowers white blood cell count and compromises the immune system, leaving patients more open to acquiring opportunistic infections such as pneumonia.

Fatigue

• Chronic fatigue is a common side effect of aggressive chemotherapy rounds.