WHAT ARE THE COMMON SIDE EFFECTS & COMPLICATIONS OF CANCER TREATMENT AND HOW CAN THEY BE MANAGED?
Cancer treatment is a complex and challenging process that aims to kill or eradicate cancer cells, but it may also damage normal, healthy cells. This can cause various side effects and complications, such as pain, fatigue, nausea, hair loss, infection, and more. These problems can affect your physical, emotional, and social well-being, and may interfere with your daily activities and quality of life.
However, there are ways to prevent or cope with some of these problems, and your health care team can help you find the best solutions for your situation. In this article, we will discuss some of the common side effects and complications of cancer treatment, and how they can be managed.
## Pain
Pain is one of the most common and distressing symptoms of cancer and its treatment. It can be caused by the cancer itself, by the treatments (such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or immunotherapy), or by other factors (such as nerve damage, inflammation, infection, or emotional stress).
Pain can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term), and it can vary in intensity, frequency, location, and duration. It can also affect your mood, sleep, appetite, concentration, and ability to function.
The good news is that pain can be effectively treated with medications and other approaches. Your doctor will assess your pain level and prescribe the appropriate painkillers for you. You may need to take different types of painkillers depending on the type and severity of your pain. Some common painkillers include:
– Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen, which can reduce inflammation and mild to moderate pain.
– Acetaminophen (paracetamol), which can relieve mild to moderate pain and fever.
– Opioids, such as morphine or oxycodone, which can relieve moderate to severe pain.
–Adjuvant drugs, such as antidepressants or anticonvulsants, which can enhance the effect of painkillers or treat specific types of pain (such as nerve pain).
You should follow your doctor’s instructions on how to take your painkillers safely and effectively. You should also report any side effects or changes in your pain level to your doctor. Do not stop taking your painkillers without consulting your doctor first.
In addition to medications, there are other ways to manage your pain, such as:
– Physical therapies, such as massage, acupuncture, heat or cold therapy, or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), which can stimulate or block the nerves that transmit pain signals.
– Psychological therapies, such as relaxation techniques, meditation, hypnosis, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), or counseling, which can help you cope with stress, anxiety, depression, or fear related to your pain.
– Complementary therapies, such as aromatherapy, music therapy, art therapy, or yoga, which can enhance your well-being and comfort.
– Lifestyle changes, such as exercising regularly (as advised by your doctor), eating a balanced diet, drinking enough fluids, getting enough sleep, and avoiding tobacco and alcohol, which can improve your overall health and reduce inflammation.
## Fatigue
Fatigue is another common and debilitating side effect of cancer and its treatment. It is a feeling of extreme tiredness or exhaustion that does not go away with rest. It can affect your physical, mental, and emotional energy levels, and make it hard for you to perform your normal activities.
Fatigue can be caused by many factors, such as:
– The cancer itself, which can consume a lot of energy
or produce substances that affect your metabolism.
– The treatments, which can damage healthy cells or cause anemia, infection, dehydration, or hormonal changes.
– The side effects of the treatments, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, pain, or sleep problems.
– The emotional stress of coping with cancer or its impact on your life.
Fatigue can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term),
and it can vary in intensity, frequency, and duration.
It can also affect your mood, memory, concentration, and immune system.
The best way to manage fatigue is to identify and treat its underlying causes.
Your doctor will check for any medical conditions that may contribute to your fatigue, such as anemia, infection,
dehydration, or hormonal imbalance.
You may need to receive blood transfusions, antibiotics,
fluids, or hormonal therapy to correct these problems.
You may also need to adjust your treatment plan to reduce the intensity or frequency of your treatments, or to switch to a different type of treatment that may cause less fatigue.
In addition to treating the causes of fatigue, there are other ways to cope with fatigue, such as:
– Physical activity, which can improve your blood circulation,
muscle strength, endurance, and mood.
You should consult your doctor before starting any exercise program, and choose activities that are suitable for your fitness level and health condition.
You should also pace yourself and rest when needed.
– Energy conservation, which means planning and prioritizing your daily tasks, and delegating or postponing the ones that are less important or more tiring.
You should also use assistive devices or tools that can make your tasks easier or faster, such as a walker, a wheelchair,
or a shower chair.
– Psychological support, which can help you cope with the emotional stress of fatigue and cancer.
You can seek counseling, join a support group, or talk to your family and friends about your feelings and concerns.
You can also practice relaxation techniques, meditation, or positive thinking to reduce anxiety and depression.
– Complementary therapies, such as aromatherapy, music therapy, art therapy, or yoga, which can enhance your well-being and comfort.
## Nausea and Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting are common side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. They can occur during or after the treatment, and they can last for hours or days. They can affect your appetite, weight, hydration, nutrition, and quality of life.
Nausea and vomiting can be caused by several factors, such as:
– The type, dose, schedule, or combination of the treatments, which can stimulate the vomiting center in the brain or irritate the lining of the stomach or intestines.
– The side effects of the treatments, such as pain, infection, constipation, or mouth problems, which can affect your digestion or trigger your gag reflex.
– The emotional stress of coping with cancer or its treatment, which can increase your sensitivity to smells, tastes, or sights that may make you feel sick.
– The anticipatory nausea and vomiting, which means feeling sick just from thinking about the treatment or having a bad experience with it in the past.
The good news is that nausea and vomiting can be prevented or controlled with medications and other approaches. Your doctor will prescribe anti-nausea drugs (also called antiemetics) for you to take before, during, or after your treatment. You may need to take different types of antiemetics depending on the severity and timing of your nausea and vomiting. Some common antiemetics include:
– Serotonin antagonists, such as ondansetron or granisetron, which block the action of serotonin, a chemical that triggers nausea and vomiting.
– Corticosteroids, such as dexamethasone or methylprednisolone, which reduce inflammation and enhance the effect of other antiemetics.
– Neurokinin-1 antagonists, such as aprepitant or fosaprepitant, which block the action of substance P, another chemical that triggers nausea and vomiting.
– Dopamine antagonists, such as metoclopramide or prochlorperazine, which block the action of dopamine, another chemical that triggers nausea and vomiting.
– Benzodiazepines, such as lorazepam or alprazolam, which reduce anxiety and enhance the effect of other antiemetics.
You should follow your doctor’s instructions on how to take your antiemetics safely and effectively. You should also report any side effects or changes in your nausea level to your doctor. Do not stop taking your antiemetics without consulting your doctor first.
In addition to medications, there are other ways to manage nausea and vomiting, such as:
– Dietary changes, which means eating small, frequent meals that are bland, soft, dry, or cold. You should avoid foods that are spicy, greasy, acidic, or have strong smells. You should also drink plenty of fluids between meals to prevent dehydration. You may need to take nutritional supplements if you have trouble eating enough calories or protein.
– Behavioral therapies, such as relaxation techniques, meditation, hypnosis, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), or acupuncture, which can help you cope with stress, anxiety, depression, or fear related to your nausea and vomiting. They can also reduce anticipatory nausea and vomiting by changing your negative associations with the treatment.
– Complementary therapies, such as aromatherapy, music therapy, art therapy, or yoga, which can enhance your well-being and comfort.
## Hair Loss
Hair loss (also called alopecia) is a common side effect of chemotherapy and some types of targeted therapy. It occurs because these treatments damage the cells that make hair grow. Hair loss can affect any part of your body where hair grows, such as your scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes,
beard, mustache, chest, legs, or pubic area.
Hair loss can be partial or complete, and it can start within a few days or weeks of starting the treatment. It can also last for several months after the treatment ends. Hair loss can affect your self-image, confidence, and identity, and it can also make you feel cold, sensitive, or uncomfortable.
The good news is that hair loss is usually temporary and reversible. Your hair will grow back two to three months after the treatment ends, although it may be different in color, texture, or thickness. You may also notice some hair regrowth during the treatment, especially if you have breaks or pauses between cycles.
There are ways to prevent or cope with hair loss, such as:
– Scalp cooling, which means wearing a cooling cap that fits tightly on your head and keeps your scalp cold before, during, and after your chemotherapy treatment. This can reduce the blood flow to your scalp and limit the amount of chemotherapy that reaches your hair follicles. Studies have found that scalp cooling can help you keep more of your hair, depending on the type and dose of chemotherapy you receive. However, scalp cooling may not work for everyone, and it may have some side effects, such as headache, discomfort, or infection. You should talk to your doctor about scalp cooling before you start chemotherapy.
– Hair care, which means taking good care of your hair and scalp before, during, and after the treatment. You should use a mild shampoo and conditioner, and avoid harsh chemicals or treatments, such as dyes, perms, or bleaches. You should also use a soft brush or comb, and avoid pulling or tugging your hair. You should wash your hair less often and use cool or lukewarm water. You should also protect your scalp from the sun, wind, or cold by wearing a hat, scarf, or wig.
– Hair alternatives, which means choosing to shave your head before your hair starts to fall out, or to wear a wig, hat, scarf, or turban during the treatment. This can give you a sense of control and comfort over your appearance. You can also experiment with different styles, colors, or accessories that suit your personality and mood. You can get a wig that matches your natural hair color and texture, or you can try something different. You can also get a wig prescription from your doctor and have it covered by your insurance or other programs. The American Cancer Society offers tips on coping with hair loss and finding wigs and other head coverings.
– Emotional support, which can help you cope with the psychological impact of hair loss and cancer.
You can seek counseling, join a support group, or talk to your family and friends about your feelings and concerns.
You can also practice positive thinking, self-compassion,
and gratitude to boost your self-esteem and well-being.
## Infection
Infection is a serious complication of cancer and its treatment. It occurs when harmful germs enter your body and cause illness. It can affect any part of your body, such as your skin, mouth, throat, lungs, urinary tract, or bloodstream.
Infection can be caused by several factors, such as:
– The cancer itself, which can weaken your immune system
or damage your organs that fight infection.
– The treatments, which can lower your white blood cell count or damage the protective barriers of your skin, mucous membranes, or intestinal lining.
– The side effects of the treatments, such as mouth sores, diarrhea, or catheters, which can create openings for germs to enter your body.
– The exposure to germs, which can come from other people, animals, food, water, or objects that are contaminated.
Infection can be mild or severe, and it can cause symptoms such as fever, chills, sweats, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, pain, redness, swelling, pus, or drainage.
The best way to prevent infection is to avoid contact with germs and boost your immune system. You should:
– Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
– Avoid touching your eyes, nose, mouth, or wounds with unwashed hands.
– Avoid contact with people who are sick or have infections.
– Avoid crowds or places where germs may spread easily.
– Wear a mask when you go outside or when you are around people who are sick.
– Avoid sharing personal items such as toothbrushes, razors, towels, or dishes.
– Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs, countertops, keyboards, or phones.
– Keep your skin clean and dry and apply moisturizer to prevent cracks or cuts.
– Keep your mouth clean and moist by brushing your teeth twice a day with a soft toothbrush and using mouthwash or salt water rinse.
– Avoid dental procedures that may cause bleeding or infection unless approved by your doctor.
– Keep your nails short and clean and avoid biting or picking them.
– Avoid cuts, scrapes, burns, or insect bites by wearing gloves, long sleeves, pants, and shoes when you work or play outdoors.
– Avoid raw or undercooked meat, eggs, seafood, or unpasteurized dairy products that may contain harmful bacteria.
– Avoid fresh fruits, vegetables, or herbs that may have been exposed to pesticides or germs. Wash them well or peel them before eating.
– Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated and flush out toxins.
– Eat a balanced diet that includes protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support your immune system.
– Get enough sleep and rest to help your body heal and recover.
– Exercise regularly (as advised by your doctor) to improve your blood circulation and oxygen delivery.
The best way to treat infection is to seek medical attention as soon as possible. You should:
– Check your temperature twice a day and report any fever (higher than 100.4°F or 38°C) to your doctor immediately.
– Report any other signs or symptoms of infection to your doctor as soon as possible.
– Take antibiotics or other medications as prescribed by your doctor and complete the full course of treatment.
– Follow your doctor’s instructions on how to care for your wound, catheter, or other device that may cause infection.
– Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration and flush out toxins.
## Conclusion
Cancer treatment can cause many side effects and complications that can affect your health and quality of life. However, there are ways to prevent or cope with these problems, and your health care team can help you find the best solutions for your situation. You should communicate with your doctor about any problems you have, so you can get the care and treatment you need to manage these problems. You should also take good care of yourself by following a healthy lifestyle and seeking emotional support. By doing so, you can improve your well-being and comfort during and after cancer treatment.
## References
(1) Side Effects of Cancer Treatment | Texas Oncology – txo. https://www.texasoncology.com/cancer-treatment/side-effects-of-cancer-treatment/.
(2) Side Effects of Cancer Treatment – NCI – National Cancer Institute. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/side-effects.
(3) Side Effects of Cancer Treatment | CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/survivors/patients/side-effects-of-treatment.htm.
(4) Side Effects of Cancer Treatment > Fact Sheets > Yale Medicine. https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/side-effects-cancer-treatment.
(5) Cancer – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20370588.