It is hard to limit the effects of treatment so that only
cancer cells
are removed or destroyed. Because treatment also damages
healthy cells and
tissues, it often causes unpleasant side effects.
The side effects of cancer treatment vary. They depend mainly
on the
type and extent of the treatment. Also, each person reacts
differently.
Attempts are made to plan the patient's therapy to keep side
effects to a
minimum. Patients are monitored during therapy so that any
problems which
occur can be addressed.
Surgery - The side effects of surgery depend on the location
of the
tumor, the type of operation, the patient's general health, and
other
factors. Although patients are often uncomfortable during the
first few
days after surgery, this pain can be controlled with medicine.
Patients
should feel free to discuss pain relief with the doctor or
nurse. It is
also common for patients to feel tired or weak for a while. The
length of
time it takes to recover from an operation varies for each
patient.
Radiation Therapy - With radiation therapy, the side effects
depend on
the treatment dose and the part of the body that is treated.
The most
common side effects are tiredness, skin reactions (such as a
rash or
redness) in the treated area, and loss of appetite. Radiation
therapy can
also cause a decrease in the number of white blood cells, cells
that help
protect the body against infection. Although the side effects
of radiation
therapy can be unpleasant, they can usually be treated or
controlled. It
also helps to know that, in most cases, they are not
permanent.
Chemotherapy - The side effects of chemotherapy depend mainly
on the
drugs and the doses the patient receives. Generally, anticancer
drugs
affect cells that divide rapidly. These include blood cells,
which fight
infection, help the blood to clot, or carry oxygen to all parts
of the
body. When blood cells are affected by anticancer drugs,
patients are more
likely to develop infections, may bruise or bleed easily, and
may have
less energy. Cells that line the digestive tract also divide
rapidly. As a
result of chemotherapy, patients can have side effects, such as
loss of
appetite, nausea and vomiting, hair loss, or mouth sores. For
some
patients, medicines can be prescribed to help with side effects,
especially with nausea and vomiting. Usually these side effects
gradually
go away during the recovery period or after treatment stops.
Hair loss, another side effect of chemotherapy, is a major
concern for
many patients. Some chemotherapy drugs only cause the hair to
thin out,
while others may result in the loss of all body hair. Patients
may feel
better if they decide how to handle hair loss before starting
treatment.
In some men and women, chemotherapy drugs cause changes that
may result
in a loss of fertility (the ability to have children). Loss of
fertility
can be temporary or permanent depending on the drugs used and
the
patient's age. For men, sperm banking before treatment may be a
choice.
Women's menstrual periods may stop, and they may have hot
flashes and
vaginal dryness. Periods are more likely to return in young
women.
In some cases, bone marrow transplantation and peripheral stem
cell
support are used to replace tissue that forms blood cells when
that tissue
has been destroyed by the effects of chemotherapy or radiation
therapy.
Hormone Therapy - Hormone therapy can cause a number of side
effects.
Patients can have nausea and vomiting, swelling or weight gain,
and, in
some cases, hot flashes. In women, hormone therapy can also
cause
interrupted menstrual periods, vaginal dryness, and, sometimes,
loss of
fertility. Hormone therapy in men can cause impotence, loss of
sexual
desire, or loss of fertility. These changes may be temporary,
long-lasting, or permanent.
Biological Therapy - The side effects of biological therapy
depend on
the type of treatment. Often, these treatments cause flu-like
symptoms
such as chills, fever, muscle aches, weakness, loss of
appetite, nausea,
vomiting, and diarrhea. Some patients develop a rash, and some
bleed or
bruise easily. In addition, interleukin therapy can cause
swelling.
Depending on how severe these problems are, patients may need
to stay in
the hospital during treatment. These side effects are usually
short-term
and they gradually go away after treatment stops.
Doctors and nurses can explain the side effects of cancer
treatment and
help with any problems can occur.
There are many types of ovarian cancer, epithelial carcinoma is the most common. Women with a family history of ovarian cancer have an increased risk of developing the disease. Some ovarian cancer symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and abnormal vaginal bleeding, however, they usually do not present until the disease has progressed. Early diagnosis is important for successful treatment.
In the U.S., more than 2,000 people are diagnosed with bone cancer every year. There are many types of bone cancer. The most common forms of bone cancer are osteosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma, chondrosarcoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, fibrosarcoma, and chordoma. Pain is the most common symptom. Treatment usually involves surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
Colon cancer is a malignancy that arises from the inner lining of the colon. Most, if not all, of these cancers develop from colonic polyps. Removal of these precancerous polyps can prevent colon cancer.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer
in humans. There are three main types of skin cancer; basal cell carcinoma and
squamous cell carcinoma (the nonmelanoma skin cancers), and melanoma.
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is cancer of the lymphatic system, a vital part of the body's immune system. Symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, fever, night sweats, coughing, weakness, chest pain, unexplained weight loss, and abdominal pain. Treatment depends on which type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma you have, the stage of the cancer, your age, how fast the cancer is growing, and whether you have other health problems.
Cervical cancer is cancer of the entrance to the womb (uterus). Regular pelvic exams and Pap testing can detect precancerous changes in the cervix. Precancerous changes in the cervix may be treated with cryosurgery, cauterization, or laser surgery. The most common symptom of cancer of the cervix is abnormal bleeding.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and the second most common cause of cancer death in women in the U.S. Symptoms include a lump in the breast or underarm area, nipple pain, change in breast size or shape, an inverted nipple, nipple discharge, and breast skin changes. Treatment may involve chemotherapy, radiation therapy, biological therapy, hormone therapy, or surgery.
Treatment for bladder cancer depends on the stage of the disease, the grade of the tumor, and the type of bladder cancer. Options for treatment include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and biological therapy.
The term oral cancer includes cancer of the mouth (oral cavity) and the back of the mouth (oropharynx). Red and white patches inside the mouth, bleeding, loose teeth, pain upon swallowing, a lump in the neck, earache, and a sore on your lip or in your mouth that won't heal are all symptoms of oral cancer. Treatment for oral cancer depends upon the staging of the disease and usually involves surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy.
Multiple myeloma is a form of cancer that develops in plasma cells, the white blood cells that make antibodies. Symptoms include bone pain, weakness, extreme thirst, nausea, frequent urination, and broken bones. Treatment of multiple myeloma depends upon the staging and symptoms of the disease.
Hodgkin's disease is a cancer of the lymphatic system with symptoms that include unexplained, recurring fevers, unexplained weight loss, itchy skin, and painless swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, underarm, and groin. Treatment for adult Hodgkin's disease depends on the staging of the disease, the lymph nodes' size, and the health of the patient.
Prostate cancer is an uncontrolled (malignant) growth of cells in the prostate gland. Prostate cancer is the second
leading cause of death of males in the U.S. Prostate cancer is often initially
suspected because of an abnormal PSA blood test or a hard nodule (lump) felt on
the prostate gland during a routine rectal examination.
Cancer is a disease caused by an abnormal growth of cells, also called malignancy. It is a group of 100 different diseases, and is not contagious. Cancer can be treated through chemotherapy, a treatment of drugs that destroy cancer cells.
Barrett's esophagus occurs as a complication of chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), primarily in white males. GERD refers to the reflux of acidic fluid from the stomach into the esophagus (the swallowing tube), and is classically associated with heartburn.
Testicular cancer symptoms include a painless lump or swelling in a testicle, testicle or scrotum pain, a dull ache in the abdomen, back, or groin, and a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum. Treatment for cancer of the testicles depends on the type of cancer (seminoma or nonseminoma), the stage of the cancer, and the patient's age and health.
The breast generally refers to the chest, however, more specifically, to the mammary gland. The mammary gland is a milk producing gland comprised largely of fat. Within the mammary gland is a complex network of branching ducts. The ducts exit from sac-like structures called lobules, which can produce milk in females. The darkened area around the nipple is called the areola. Common medical concerns in regard to the breast include breast lumps, breast cysts, breast cancer, and breast infections.
Male breast cancer accounts for 1% of all breast cancers, and most cases are found in men between the ages of 60 and 70. A man's risk of developing breast cancer is one in 1,000. Signs and symptoms include a firm mass located below the nipple and skin changes around the nipple, including puckering, redness or scaling, retraction and ulceration of the nipple. Treatment depends upon staging and the health of the patient.
Vaginal cancer is fairly uncommon. There are two types of vaginal cancer: squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Risk factors include being 60 or older, exposure to DES while in the womb, HPV infection, and having a history of abnormal cervical cells. Painful intercourse, pelvic pain, vaginal lumps, and abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge are all symptoms of vaginal cancer. Treatment depends upon the stage of the vaginal cancer and may involve surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and the use of radiosensitizers.
Lifestyle changes, a healthy antioxidant-rich diet, exercise, and weight reduction can help reduce a woman's risk of developing breast cancer. It's important to be aware of how risk factors such as family history, lifestyle factors, breast conditions, radiation therapy, and hormonal factors may influence your chances of developing breast cancer. Mammography and breast self-examinations are crucial steps in breast cancer prevention.
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