Hodgkins Disease (cont.)
Side effects of treatment for Hodgkin's disease
Treatments for Hodgkin's disease are very powerful. It is hard to limit the
effects of therapy so that only cancer cells are destroyed. Because treatment
also damages healthy cells and tissues, it often causes side effects.
The side effects of cancer treatment depend mainly on the type and extent of
the therapy. Side effects may not be the same for everyone, and they may even
change from one treatment to the next. Doctors and nurses can explain the
possible side effects of treatment. They can also lessen or control many of the
side effects that may occur during and after treatment.
Radiation therapy
The side effects of radiation depend on the treatment dose and the part
of the body that is treated. During radiation therapy, people are likely to
become extremely tired, especially in the later weeks of treatment. Rest is
important, but doctors usually advise patients to try to stay as active as
they can.
It is common to lose hair in the treated area and for the skin to become
red, dry, tender, and itchy. There may also be permanent darkening or
"bronzing" of the skin in the treated area.
When the chest and neck are treated, patients may have a dry, sore throat and some
trouble swallowing. Sometimes, they have shortness of breath or a dry cough.
Radiation therapy to the abdomen may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,
or urinary discomfort. Often, changes in diet or medicine can ease
these problems.
Radiation therapy also may cause a decrease in the number of white blood
cells, cells that help protect the body against infection, or platelets,
cells that help the blood to clot. If that happens, patients need to be
careful to avoid possible sources of infection or injury. The doctor
monitors a patient's blood count very carefully during radiation treatment.
If necessary, treatment may have to be postponed to let the blood counts
return to normal.
Although the side effects of radiation therapy can be difficult, they can
usually be treated or controlled. It may also help to know that, in most
cases, side effects are not permanent. However, patients may want to discuss
with their doctor the possible long-term effects of radiation treatment on
fertility (the ability to produce children) and the increased chance of
second cancers after treatment is over. (The "Followup Care" section
includes more information about the chance for second cancers.) Loss of
fertility may be temporary or permanent, depending on if the testes or
ovaries received radiation 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. Menstrual periods are more
likely to return for younger women. The National Cancer Institute booklet
Radiation Therapy and You has helpful information about radiation
therapy and managing its side effects.
Chemotherapy
The side effects of chemotherapy depend mainly on the specific drugs and
the doses the patient receives. As with other types of treatment, side
effects may vary from person to person.
Anticancer drugs generally affect cells that divide rapidly. In addition
to cancer cells, these include blood cells, which fight infection, help the
blood to clot, and carry oxygen to all parts of the body. When blood cells
are affected, the patient is more likely to get infections, may bruise or
bleed easily, and may feel unusually weak and tired.
Cells in hair roots also divide rapidly; therefore, chemotherapy may lead
to hair loss. Hair loss is a major concern for many patients. Some
anticancer drugs only cause the hair to thin out, while others may result in
the loss of all body hair. People may cope with hair loss better if they
decide how to handle hair loss before starting treatment.
Cells that line the digestive tract also divide rapidly, and are often
damaged by chemotherapy. As a result, side effects may include poor
appetite, nausea and vomiting, and/or mouth and lip sores.
Most side effects go away gradually during the recovery periods between
treatments or after treatment is over. Sometimes, however, chemotherapy
results in a permanent loss of fertility. The National Cancer Institute
booklet Chemotherapy and You has helpful information about
chemotherapy and coping with side effects.
Next: Nutrition during cancer treatment »
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