Side effects of chemotherapy
Chemotherapy can cause side effects which may feel slightly worse if given alongside radiotherapy. Chemotherapy can temporarily reduce the number of normal cells in your blood. When there are less healthy cells in your blood you are more likely to get an infection and you may get tired easily. During chemotherapy your blood will be tested regularly and, if necessary, you may be given antibiotics to treat any infection. Blood transfusions may be given if you become anaemic.
Some of the chemotherapy drugs that are commonly used to treat cancer of the cervix may affect the kidneys. Usually this does not cause any symptoms, but the effect can be severe and the kidneys can be permanently damaged unless the treatment is stopped. For this reason your kidney function will be checked by a blood test before each treatment. You may be asked to drink plenty of fluids, and to measure how much liquid you drink and the amount of urine you pass.
Other side effects may include tiredness, feeling sick (nausea), vomiting and hair loss, although nausea and vomiting can usually be well controlled with effective anti-sickness drugs.
There is usually very little hair loss (if any) with Cisplatin chemotherapy. With other types of chemotherapy (for example, Taxol), if your hair falls out it will grow back within a few months of completing treatment.
Some chemotherapy drugs also make your mouth sore and may cause small ulcers. Regular mouthwashes are important and your nurses will show you how to do these properly. If you don’t feel like eating meals, you can supplement your diet with nutritious drinks or soups. A wide range of drinks is available and you can buy them at most chemist shops or they can be prescribed by your GP.
Although these side effects may be hard to bear at the time, they gradually disappear once your treatment is over. Your doctor or nurse can tell you what problems, if any, to expect from your treatment.
Cisplatin can also sometimes cause tingling or numbness in the hands and feet and, in some women, this type of chemotherapy can cause more prolonged or permanent mild nerve damage.
If you find that you are experiencing any side effects at all, do speak to one of your medical team. There are so many different ways that they can help to alleviate most them that there really is no reason to suffer in silence. It could make all the difference to how you go through treatment.
Last updated: 10/03/2011
