Lasting Effects of Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is an aggressive form of treatment used to eliminate malignant abnormal cells in cancer patients. It is essentially a powerful dose of a cell killing drug that may be administered through intravenous injection or in pill form. There are many types of chemotherapy drugs that are tailored for specific types of cancers. Unfortunately, all chemotherapy kills healthy cells along with cancer cells, which can result in lasting damage after treatment has ended.

Infertility

• A potential lasting effect of chemotherapy in women is infertility or difficulty becoming pregnant.

Heart Disease

• Heart disease can result as a long term effect of chemotherapy, particularly if the cancer was located in the upper abdomen.

Other Cancer

• A serious long term effect of chemotherapy is an increased risk for other types of cancers.

Liver Problems

• Permanent liver damage, particularly chronic liver disease, is another potential lasting effect in chemotherapy patients.

Premature Menopause

• Women who undergo chemotherapy may also experience premature menopause, especially if they received the therapy for cervical or ovarian cancer.