Side Effects

All cancer treatments come with side effects, however not all patients experience the same side effects.
Even if two patients face the same side effect, they may experience it differently.

Side Effects

All cancer treatments come with side effects, however not all patients experience the same side effects. Even if two patients face the same side effect, they may experience it differently.

What can cause side effects?

Every phase of cancer survivorship comes with side effects.

Chemotherapy attacks all rapidly dividing cells. This means healthy cells from all over the body may be affected. Side effects will depend on how your chemotherapy is given and the type of chemotherapy drug(s) you receive.

Targeted therapies do not attack all rapidly dividing cells, however these therapies also come with side effects.

Symptoms vary from person to person and from infusion to infusion. Pay attention to your reactions to treatment and record when they occur.

Common side effects of treatments include:

  • Low red or white blood cells Low platelet count
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Mouth sores
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Hand-foot syndrome
  • Cancer-related fatigue
  • Skin rash
  • Neuropathy
  • Cachexia
  • Dehydration
  • Anxiety and Depression

Rare side effects of chemotherapy include: Skin and nail changes; hair loss; liver and kidney damage; early menopause; and secondary cancers.

While it’s uncommon, a small number of people have dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase deficiency (DPD deficiency), which makes their bodies unable to metabolize, or break down, 5-FU or capecitabine (Xeloda®). Learn more about the DPD biomarker.

Surgery is often the main treatment for earlier-stage colon cancers, and is often the main treatment for rectal cancers. It’s important to plan ahead for surgery: Let you employer know. Take off time as needed. Schedule childcare and discuss any needs they may have and how you can plan for them. Set up care for your pet(s). Talk to your doctor about “pre-hab” or a pre-habilitation program to help your post surgery recovery.

Surgery side effects could include:

  • Feeling tired or weak
  • Pain
  • Scarring
  • Infection
  • LARS
  • Bowel irregularities
  • Changes in sexual function
  • Infertility

Radiation is used to destroy cancer cells, but it can also damage healthy cells and tissues near the treatment area. Side effects should subside after your treatment ends.

Side effects could include:

  • Fatigue
  • Skin irritation including redness, peeling, burning, scarring
  • Joint stiffness caused by hardening of the muscle and ligaments
  • Infertility
  • Secondary cancers
  • Bowel irregularities
  • Feeling like you have to urinate or poop often
  • Nausea

What can cause side effects?

Every phase of cancer survivorship comes with side effects.

Chemotherapy attacks all rapidly dividing cells. This means healthy cells from all over the body may be affected. Side effects will depend on how your chemotherapy is given and the type of chemotherapy drug(s) you receive.

Targeted therapies do not attack all rapidly dividing cells, however these therapies also come with side effects.

Symptoms vary from person to person and from infusion to infusion. Pay attention to your reactions to treatment and record when they occur.

Common side effects of treatments include:

  • Low red or white blood cells Low platelet count
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Mouth sores
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Hand-foot syndrome
  • Cancer-related fatigue
  • Skin rash
  • Neuropathy
  • Cachexia
  • Dehydration
  • Anxiety and Depression

Rare side effects of chemotherapy include: Skin and nail changes; hair loss; liver and kidney damage; early menopause; and secondary cancers.

While it’s uncommon, a small number of people have dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase deficiency (DPD deficiency), which makes their bodies unable to metabolize, or break down, 5-FU or capecitabine (Xeloda®). Learn more about the DPD biomarker.

Surgery is often the main treatment for earlier-stage colon cancers, and is often the main treatment for rectal cancers. It’s important to plan ahead for surgery: Let you employer know. Take off time as needed. Schedule childcare and discuss any needs they may have and how you can plan for them. Set up care for your pet(s). Talk to your doctor about “pre-hab” or a pre-habilitation program to help your post surgery recovery.

Surgery side effects could include:

  • Feeling tired or weak
  • Pain
  • Scarring
  • Infection
  • LARS
  • Bowel irregularities
  • Changes in sexual function
  • Infertility

Radiation is used to destroy cancer cells, but it can also damage healthy cells and tissues near the treatment area. Side effects should subside after your treatment ends.

Side effects could include:

  • Fatigue
  • Skin irritation including redness, peeling, burning, scarring
  • Joint stiffness caused by hardening of the muscle and ligaments
  • Infertility
  • Secondary cancers
  • Bowel irregularities
  • Feeling like you have to urinate or poop often
  • Nausea

Common Side Effects

Everyone experiences side effects differently. If one patient has experienced a side effect, that doesn’t mean you’ll experience the same thing in the same way. Your body is unique. However, some treatments are known to cause side effects amongst most patients who receive them. Here are some of the most common side effects.

Common Side Effects

Everyone experiences side effects differently. If one patient has experienced a side effect, that doesn’t mean you’ll experience the same thing in the same way. Your body is unique. However, some treatments are known to cause side effects amongst most patients who receive them. Here are some of the most common side effects.

Ask us anything, anytime. Seriously. Text us at 318-242-8272 (318-CHATCRC).

Ask us anything, anytime. Seriously. Text us at 318-242-8272 (318-CHATCRC).

When to call the doctor?

Don’t hesitate to call your doctor at any point during cancer treatment. Contact your medical team or go to the ER if:

  • Your temperature is higher than 100.5°F
  • You have signs of an infection (e.g.: sore throat, chills, painful urination)
  • You feel incoherent or have changes in consciousness
  • You have unusually severe digestive side effects
  • You have pain in the chest or develop an irregular heartbeat
  • You see unusual or severe skin peeling that begins earlier than expected
  • You have blood in your vomit or stool

If you are dizzy, lose consciousness, or are unable to keep fluids down due to nausea and vomiting, call 911 or head to the closest emergency room. Upon arrival, inform staff that you are a cancer patient undergoing treatment and need to be seen immediately.

When to call the doctor?

Don’t hesitate to call your doctor at any point during cancer treatment. Contact your medical team or go to the ER if:

  • Your temperature is higher than 100.5°F
  • You have signs of an infection (e.g.: sore throat, chills, painful urination)
  • You feel incoherent or have changes in consciousness
  • You have unusually severe digestive side effects
  • You have pain in the chest or develop an irregular heartbeat
  • You see unusual or severe skin peeling that begins earlier than expected
  • You have blood in your vomit or stool

If you are dizzy, lose consciousness, or are unable to keep fluids down due to nausea and vomiting, call 911 or head to the closest emergency room. Upon arrival, inform staff that you are a cancer patient undergoing treatment and need to be seen immediately.