Side effects after chemotherapy

The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies more than twenty types of side effects after chemotherapy.

These include:

1. Gastrointestinal tract lesions:
   • the appearance of stomatitis,
   • occurrence of esophagitis,
   • detection of gastritis,
   • the appearance of enterocolitis,
   • the occurrence of dysbiosis with fungal infection,
   • the appearance of nausea and vomiting,
   • the emergence of anorexia,
   • detection of liver damage.
2. Damage to the hematopoietic system and blood:
   • the occurrence of anemia,
   • the appearance of leukopenia,
   • the occurrence of neutropenia (febrile fever).
3. The emergence of immunodeficiency:
   • the occurrence of frequent respiratory infections,
   • the appearance of recurrent herpes,
   • detection of fungal infections.
4. The appearance of renal disorders:
   • the occurrence of urinary frequency,
   • detection of elevated protein levels in the urine, as well as leukocytes and erythrocytes.
5. Disruption of the reproductive system:
   • the occurrence of ovarian failure,
   • the occurrence of menstrual irregularities in women,
   • the appearance of testicular failure,
   • the occurrence of spermatogenesis disorders.
6. Occurrence of lesions of the nervous system:
   • the appearance of polyneuropathies,
   • detection of disturbances of consciousness.
7. The appearance of cardiac lesions.
8. The occurrence of respiratory system lesions.
9. Skin system disorder:
   • the appearance of dermatitis.
10. Hair loss.
11. The appearance of allergic reactions.

WHO classifies side effects after chemotherapy according to severity as follows:

• 0 degree – no change in the patient’s condition or laboratory test data is observed.
• Stage I – minimal changes are recorded that do not affect the general condition of the patient; laboratory test results record minor changes that do not require corrective measures.
• Stage II – moderate changes in the patient’s condition and activity, his internal organs appear; test results are noticeably altered, which requires corrective measures.
• Stage III – occurrence of severe disorders that require intensive somatic treatment, as well as postponing chemotherapy sessions or discontinuing treatment
• Stage IV – the appearance of disturbances in the body that pose a threat to the patient’s life; this requires immediate cessation of chemotherapy.

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Temperature after chemotherapy

Some patients experience an increase in overall body temperature after a course of treatment. This occurs due to a decrease in the patient's immunity, which is always observed after chemotherapy. The temperature may increase due to the penetration of various infections into the patient's body, which manifests itself in the occurrence of various diseases of a viral bacterial nature.

An elevated body temperature indicates that there are foci of infection in the body that need to be treated with a course of antibiotics. Therefore, in most cases, after chemotherapy, the patient receives antibacterial treatment.

Constantly elevated body temperature means that the patient's body cannot cope with the foci of the disease on its own. This feature occurs due to a decrease in the number of leukocytes in the blood, which are responsible for protecting the human body from various infections. Inflammatory processes in the patient's body at this point can progress greatly, so treatment must be started immediately after the first symptoms of the disease appear.

The correctness of the selected drugs is determined by conducting a blood test and finding out the type of infection that requires treatment. At the same time, you cannot take medications without consulting a doctor, this applies to all drugs, including antipyretics.

To avoid infectious contamination, after chemotherapy, it is necessary to avoid visiting places with a large concentration of people, and also avoid contact with patients with various infections.

Intoxication after chemotherapy

Chemotherapy drugs – cytostatics – have a pronounced toxic effect on the body. Intoxication after chemotherapy can manifest itself in varying degrees from zero to fifth, corresponding to the severity of the consequences after chemotherapy.

The toxic effect of drugs is that they equally affect all actively dividing and growing cells: both malignant and healthy. Healthy cells that rapidly multiply include skin cells, hair follicles, epithelial cells of internal organs - mucous membranes, bone marrow cells. Therefore, frequent complications after chemotherapy include nausea and vomiting, hair loss, impaired hematopoiesis, inflammatory and dystrophic changes in the mucous membranes, frequent bleeding.

Intoxication of the body after chemotherapy is expressed in damage to almost all tissues and internal organs, since cytostatic toxins act equally on both diseased and healthy cells.

Weakness after chemotherapy

All patients after chemotherapy complain of weakness throughout the body, as well as lethargy and constant fatigue.

Patients may experience weakness due to the following reasons:

1. General intoxication of the body - usually, such sensations pass some time after the completion of the chemotherapy course. But in elderly patients who have far severe stages of development of oncological processes, the sensations of weakness can continue for a long time.
2. The presence of damage to internal organs - the appearance of cardiac, renal, hepatic and pulmonary failure.
3. The appearance of anemia due to the suppression of the hematopoietic function.
4. The penetration of infections into the body due to decreased immunity.
5. The emergence of psycho-emotional stress due to the treatment undergone and associated factors.
6. Weight loss due to:
   • deterioration of food processing and absorption of nutrients by the digestive tract;
   • increasing the body's need for energy for recovery;
   • decreased ability to consume food - loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, and so on.
7. Disturbances in metabolic processes in the body.
8. The appearance of hormonal disorders due to intoxication of the thyroid gland and adrenal glands, which is expressed in insufficient functioning of these organs.
9. The presence of hypodynamia - increased weakness causes the desire to constantly remain at rest. But the lack of movement leads to a decrease in muscle tone and muscle hypotrophy, a decrease in the patient's physical endurance and the ability to lead an active lifestyle. All this intensifies the existing state of weakness and leads to a vicious circle of causes and effects.
10. Sleep disorders – the inability to get enough sleep and restore strength leads to increased weakness and fatigue. All this is also the cause of a negative change in the patient’s psycho-emotional state.
11. Pain throughout the body also leads to weakness. Exhausting and constant pain causes a state of fatigue and emptiness, as well as a reluctance to move and lead an active lifestyle.
12. The presence of nausea and vomiting - the appearance of these symptoms does not allow liquid and food to be normally absorbed in the body, which causes its exhaustion and dehydration, and, accordingly, the appearance of weakness.
13. All of the above changes in the patient's condition can lead to anxiety and depressive states, which only increases the feeling of weakness of the body. Against the background of these disorders, physical weakness only increases, but even if its causes are eliminated, it provokes the emergence of fatigue and lethargy of a psycho-emotional nature.

To reduce the manifestations of weakness, patients need to resort to certain measures:

• Increase the level of hemoglobin in the blood by switching to a special diet and taking certain supplements.
• Increase the number of white blood cells with proper nutrition and medication.
• Engage in regular physical activity – light morning exercises, walk more often in the fresh air.
• Take a short daytime rest, or better yet, sleep for one hour.
• Go to bed on time, no later than 10:30 p.m. And the duration of night sleep should be at least nine hours.
• Unload yourself from those tasks that can wait or that other people can handle. Try to spare yourself and minimize the load.

Swelling after chemotherapy

Many patients who have undergone chemotherapy begin to suffer from edema. Edema may occur either on the entire body or on certain parts of it. Edema may appear on the face, hands, all arms, feet or the entire surface of the legs. Edema may also manifest itself in abdominal swelling and a feeling of bloating in the entire abdomen or only at the bottom.

Edema after chemotherapy is the result of deterioration of kidney function due to their toxic damage by chemotherapy drugs and heavy loads that are placed on the kidneys during treatment. Therefore, in this case, it is necessary not only to eliminate edema, but also to comprehensively restore the entire body.

In this case, swelling may be accompanied by the following symptoms:

1. Deterioration in the quality of breathing – breathing becomes more difficult.
2. The appearance of interruptions in the functioning of the heart.
3. Rapid development of swelling throughout the body.
4. A sharp increase in body weight.
5. The appearance of interruptions in urination - almost no emptying of the bladder or rare cases of this phenomenon.

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor for advice and assistance.

What can be done to reduce swelling in the body? There are a number of tips that should be followed:

1. You need to stop using table salt and replace it with sea salt or iodized salt. The daily amount of salt should be minimal. It is best to stop using salt and salty foods for several days. Instead of salt, you can use dry seaweed crushed into powder - kelp thalli.
2. Greens with a diuretic effect, namely parsley and dill, should be added to food. Fresh lemon juice has the same properties. Greens can and should be eaten fresh in large quantities.
3. It is necessary to eat vegetables, fruits and berries with a diuretic effect. These include watermelons, melons, lingonberries, strawberries, cranberries, viburnum, blackberries, pumpkin, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, apples, dried apricots (dried apricots, dried apricots, kaisa).
4. It is necessary to avoid products and dishes that increase blood viscosity. These include jelly, aspic and jellied meat, rowan berries, etc. To achieve a diuretic effect, you need to eat products with a blood-thinning effect - raspberries, black and red currants, lemons and garlic.
5. Edema also occurs because useful microelements have been removed from the body by chemotherapy. First of all, this concerns potassium reserves. To saturate the body with this useful substance, it is necessary to eat a lot of apricots and peaches, bananas, dried apricots, honey and lettuce leaves.
6. Freshly prepared juices are good for swelling. Mix fresh beetroot, cucumber and carrot juices in equal proportions. Juices made from parsley and celery are also suitable. A third of a glass of such juice replaces one diuretic tablet.

Some folk medicine tips can help get rid of swelling:

1. Castor oil and turpentine are taken in proportions of 1:2. The oil is heated and poured into turpentine. After which this liquid is applied to the edematous areas.
2. Mix a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with a chicken egg yolk, then add one tablespoon of turpentine. Then rub the swollen areas with this mixture.
3. Herbs that have an anti-edematous effect are taken. An infusion is prepared from them, which is then poured into molds and frozen. The resulting healing ice is used to wipe the edematous areas. Chamomile flowers, linden blossom, bearberry leaves, corn silk, knotweed grass, horsetail grass, peppermint leaves, and blue cornflower flowers are well suited for these purposes.

Swollen legs after chemotherapy

Swollen legs after chemotherapy are caused by abnormal kidney function. This was discussed in more detail in the previous section.

To help relieve swelling in the lower extremities, you should follow the advice given in the section on swelling after chemotherapy.

Stomatitis after chemotherapy

Stomatitis is a common side effect after chemotherapy. The drugs act on the cells of the oral cavity.

Stomatitis manifests itself in redness and swelling of the mucous membrane, as well as the appearance of small ulcers on it. At the same time, exfoliation of epithelial cells is observed, and the oral cavity becomes very dry, cracks appear on the lips. Bleeding gums may appear.

Stomatitis is a temporary complication after chemotherapy. The disease will disappear when the level of white blood cells in the blood increases to normal.

You can take preventive measures to reduce the likelihood of stomatitis in the following way:

• Rinse your mouth with dental elixirs - Pepsodent, Elkadent.
• Periodically lubricate your lips with a thick lipstick, you can use a colorless hygienic one.
• Before starting a course of chemotherapy, it is necessary to carry out oral cavity sanitation in the form of treatment for dental caries.
• You can cool your mouth with ice cubes several times a day.

If stomatitis occurs, it is recommended to resort to the following measures:

• Replace brushing your teeth with rinsing your mouth with the above mentioned dental elixirs.
• It is recommended to rinse your mouth with a soda solution - half a teaspoon of soda is dissolved in a glass of water. It is also good to resort to rinsing with a saline solution - a teaspoon of salt is dissolved in a liter of water.
• Infusions and decoctions of medicinal herbs are useful in the treatment of stomatitis. Chamomile, oak bark, sage, and St. John's wort should be used for these purposes.
• It is necessary to drink a lot of fluids, at least two liters of water per day.

Hair loss after chemotherapy

Hair loss after chemotherapy is a common occurrence that most patients experience. The patient begins to lose hair all over the body around the third week after the end of the treatment. This is due to the toxic effect of the drugs on the follicles from which the hair grows and their destruction. After some time after the hair loss, the follicles are restored and the hair grows back.

More detailed information is given in the section on patient hair after chemotherapy.

Baldness after chemotherapy

Baldness after chemotherapy occurs due to the effect of drugs on the follicles from which hair grows. The follicles are destroyed, and the hair on the head falls out completely or partially. Some time after chemotherapy, the hair begins to grow back, and it becomes healthier and thicker than it was before.

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Numbness in limbs after chemotherapy

Numbness of the limbs after chemotherapy is the result of damage to the nerve fibers of the peripheral nervous system. During treatment, the nerve fibers experience structural damage and lose the ability to sufficiently conduct nerve impulses from receptors located in the skin to the corresponding areas in the brain.

Numbness of the extremities manifests itself in the loss of sensation in the arms and legs, as well as the loss of flexibility in the extremities. The feeling of numbness begins with the tips of the fingers and toes, feet and hands and spreads further along the entire surface of the extremities and along the spine. The sensation of numbness can also be accompanied by vivid symptoms of tingling, burning, tightening in the extremities, as well as pain.

In this case, the sensitivity of the body and skin decreases, the ability to move and manipulate objects during self-care is impaired. Patients can hardly tie shoelaces and fasten buttons, they can often stumble and fall, they have difficulty maintaining balance and maintaining coordination of movements. This phenomenon is considered one of the symptoms of polyneuropathy, which was discussed in the corresponding section.

Acne after chemotherapy

After chemotherapy, some patients begin to notice that pimples have appeared on their skin. Pimples occur as a result of toxic damage to the skin and a decrease in the patient's immunity. Pimples indicate that the proper functioning of the skin glands is disrupted, which causes inflammatory processes on the skin.

The appearance of acne indicates that the metabolic processes in the body are out of balance. Therefore, to eliminate acne on the skin, first of all, it is necessary to take measures to restore the proper functioning of all organs and systems. This concerns, first of all, immune, hormonal and hematopoietic processes.

To avoid acne, it is recommended to use antibacterial soap for skin care and then apply a moisturizer to the washed area.

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Low Blood Pressure After Chemotherapy

Some patients after chemotherapy begin to experience the following symptoms: lethargy, dizziness, increased fatigue. At the same time, when rising from a sitting position, especially abruptly, severe weakness, clouding of consciousness, the appearance of "stars" before the eyes, nausea and even fainting may be observed. These manifestations are signs of low blood pressure.

The decrease in pressure after chemotherapy is caused by a decrease in the amount of blood that passes through the vessels of the circulatory system. Blood pressure decreases because less blood is pumped by the heart into the arteries. The cause of decreased pressure can be the expansion of small arteries and their increased flexibility, so they resist the flow of blood less. At the same time, the veins are also dilated and more blood is stored in them, and less blood is returned to the heart.

When blood flow is impaired, the percentage of oxygen and nutrients delivered to internal organs is reduced, causing them to function poorly.

Menopause after chemotherapy

The onset of menopause in a woman's life is a natural event, for which the female body and psyche gradually prepare. After chemotherapy, menopause can occur suddenly and abruptly, which leads to serious stress and deterioration of the mental and emotional state of patients. In this case, menopause is always considered early, that is, occurring prematurely, and is called provoked.

The manifestations of menopause during this period can be so pronounced that a woman simply cannot cope with them on her own. The symptoms of menopause are:

• cessation of menstrual flow,
• the appearance of hot flashes,
• weight gain,
• the appearance of vaginal dryness,
• the occurrence of sudden mood swings,
• the appearance of weakness, increased fatigue, loss of strength,
• changes in the skin and hair structure,
• the appearance of osteoporosis,
• memory loss.

Some patients may experience vaginal discharge during this time.

The entry into early menopause is perceived by many women so acutely that it can lead to depression. In this case, it is impossible to do without outside help, and the woman needs qualified help from a psychotherapist, as well as careful and attentive attitude of loved ones.

Cystitis after chemotherapy

Cystitis is an inflammatory disease of the bladder, which manifests itself in inflammation of its epithelium (mucous membrane).

Symptoms of cystitis include:

• the occurrence of pain, cutting or burning when emptying the bladder,
• the appearance of frequent urination,
• the inability to hold back when the urge to urinate arises and the body's demand to urinate immediately,
• the appearance of redness of urine or blood in the urine,
• the appearance of signs of fever,
• the appearance of chills.

When the above symptoms appear, it is recommended to drink plenty of water and liquids, at least two liters per day, as well as fresh fruit juices. An increase in the amount of urine will provoke the washing out of toxins from the body, which will help reduce the irritating effect of poisons on the patient's bladder.

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Depression after chemotherapy

At the end of the chemotherapy course, some patients note a deterioration in their psycho-emotional state. This is expressed in a decrease in emotional tone, sharp mood swings, and a general depressed and depressive state.

Depression after chemotherapy occurs in fifteen to twenty percent of patients. Apathy and lethargy, anxiety and tearfulness, a gloomy outlook on the world, lack of faith in recovery, unwillingness to return to normal life, constant isolation and alienation, feelings of melancholy and hopelessness - these are the manifestations of depressive states. Also observed are decreased concentration, deterioration of mental and intellectual activity, memory problems.

The causes of depression after chemotherapy are considered to be:

• General intoxication of the body, which depresses the central and peripheral nervous system.
• Damage to certain parts of the brain that are directly related to the patient's emotional state and mental stability.
• Changes in hormonal levels due to damage to the endocrine system.
• A severe deterioration in well-being that affects the quality of the general emotional state and mental stability after chemotherapy.
• Manifestation of duodenitis – an inflammatory disease of the duodenum. This section of the small intestine produces hormones that are not only associated with digestion, but also affect human behavior. In inflammatory processes, these hormones cannot be produced in sufficient quantities, which causes duodenal depression.

Depressive states that arise against the background of severe somatic disorders only intensify their manifestations. It happens that with the improvement of the physical condition due to properly conducted therapy, depression causes a deterioration in well-being. This occurs due to the presence of complex processes of the relationship between a person's mental activity and his somatic processes.

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Thrush after chemotherapy

Thrush in women is a vaginal discharge that is white in color and has a cheesy consistency, with a sour smell. With this disease, additional symptoms may appear:

• Discomfort in the vaginal area - severe itching of the external genitalia during the first day; on the second or third day, a burning sensation may additionally appear.
• The appearance of painful sensations in the area of the external genitalia during urination - urine irritates the inflamed labia, which causes severe pain and burning.
• The occurrence of pain during sexual intercourse - the vaginal mucosa also becomes inflamed due to thrush.
• The appearance of severe swelling of the labia majora, and sometimes the anus.

Some women experience all of the above symptoms, while others experience only some of them.

The appearance of thrush is caused by a general decrease in immunity after chemotherapy and the inability of the body to resist infections. Specialists call thrush "candidiasis" - this disease is caused by yeast fungi Candida. This fungus lives on the skin of any person, but in small quantities. The spread of the fungus is controlled by the human immune system and the microflora that is favorable. With a decrease in immunity and the destruction of beneficial microflora, the Candida fungus begins to multiply rapidly and penetrate the vagina, where it provokes the occurrence of thrush.

Insomnia after chemotherapy

Insomnia is a disorder that causes problems with falling asleep. Sleep at this time becomes intermittent, a person sleeps lightly and wakes up from any external irritants, as well as for no apparent reason.

Insomnia prevents a person from resting and gaining strength at night. Therefore, patients feel tired during the day, which affects their mood, well-being and overall quality of life.

Signs of insomnia are:

• A long period of time during which the patient falls asleep at night.
• Frequent and unexplained awakenings at night.
• Early morning awakening.
• Fatigue that does not go away after a night's rest.
• A feeling of fatigue and drowsiness that accompanies the patient throughout the day.
• Increased emotional excitability, expressed in an irritable state, a feeling of anxiety, unmotivated attacks of anxiety and fear, depression or a depressed mental state.
• Decreased concentration and difficulty concentrating.
• The appearance of headaches.
• Constant, unrelenting worry about falling asleep at night.

Insomnia after chemotherapy is caused by many reasons:

• Cancer patients are characterized by changes in the rhythm and quality of sleep and the appearance of insomnia.
• In women, the occurrence of insomnia is associated with the onset of early induced menopause (or climacteric).
• The appearance of insomnia can be one of the symptoms of depression.
• Damage to certain parts of the brain and central nervous system can cause sleep disturbances and insomnia.
• Severe pain and discomfort in the body can cause sleep disorders.
• Gastrointestinal disorders, such as duodenitis, can cause changes in the psycho-emotional state, which will provoke the appearance of insomnia.

Enlarged lymph nodes after chemotherapy

After chemotherapy, many patients experience enlarged lymph nodes. The reasons for this change in lymph nodes were described in the section "Lymph nodes after chemotherapy".

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Bleeding after chemotherapy

After chemotherapy, the number of platelets decreases significantly. These blood elements affect the stopping of bleeding by accumulating at the site of vascular damage and "sticking" together. In doing so, they produce substances that stimulate vascular constriction and lead to the formation of a blood clot, which prevents bleeding.

After chemotherapy, the level of platelets in the blood is significantly reduced, which prevents good blood clotting. Any cuts and damage to the skin and mucous membranes can lead to prolonged bleeding and non-healing wounds.

The first signs of bleeding are the appearance of bruises under the skin, which are caused by ruptured blood vessels and hemorrhages in the skin. Spontaneous bleeding after chemotherapy is observed from the mucous membranes of the gums and oral cavity, nasal cavities, gastrointestinal tract. This indicates that the drugs, first of all, damaged actively dividing cells, which include the cells of the mucous membranes. Ulcers may appear on their surface, which do not heal for a long time and constantly bleed. More dangerous are hemorrhages of internal organs, which can be dangerous to the patient's health.

To avoid prolonged bleeding, it is necessary to increase the level of platelets in the blood, which was discussed in the relevant section.

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