Side effects: facts and reassurances
Because chemo drugs kill cancer cells, they also affect some normal cells.
This can lead to side effects. The most common side effects of chemotherapy to treat
head and neck cancer include nausea, hair loss, fatigue, increased tendency to bruise
and bleed, anemia (a low red blood cell count), and infection.
Some people who have had treatment for cancer of the larynx may also lose their
interest in food. Sores in the mouth and throat and changes in smell and taste may
make eating difficult, but good nutrition is still important.
Don’t worry. Instead, get the facts.
Before starting chemo, most people ask their healthcare teams questions like “Will
I have side effects?” and “What will they be like?” Here are some reassuring things
to keep in mind:
- Not everyone gets every side effect
- Different people experience different intensities of side effects. Ask your healthcare
team which side effects are likely with your chemo, how long they may last, and
what to do about them
- Your doctor may prescribe medicines to help prevent some side effects from occurring
For many people, the side effects of chemotherapy are a short-term problem, not
a long-term one. Remember—if you’re fighting cancer, you have to weigh the potential
side effects of chemotherapy against its ability to treat the disease.
Other side effects may occur depending on the type of medication your doctor prescribes.
Be sure to speak with your doctor about which side effects you may experience and how
they can be managed.
Living with
head and neck cancer