Multiple Myeloma (cont.)
Side effects of treatment for multiple myeloma
Because cancer treatment often damages healthy cells and tissues, unwanted
side effects are common. Side effects depend mainly on the type and extent
of the treatment. Side effects may not be the same for each person, and they
may change from one treatment session to the next. Before treatment starts,
your health care team will explain possible side effects and suggest ways to
help you manage them.
The NCI provides helpful booklets about cancer treatments and coping with
side effects, such as Chemotherapy and You, Radiation Therapy and You,
and
Eating Hints for Cancer Patients.
Anticancer drug therapy
The side effects of anticancer drugs depend mainly on the specific drugs
and the dose. The drugs affect cancer cells and other cells that divide rapidly:
- Blood cells: When drugs affect your healthy blood cells, you are
more likely to get infections, bruise or bleed easily, and feel very weak
and tired.
- Cells in hair roots:
Anticancer drugs can cause you to lose your hair. The hair will grow back, but
it may be somewhat different in color and texture.
- Cells that line the digestive tract: Anticancer drugs can cause poor
appetite, nausea and vomiting,
diarrhea, or mouth and lip
sores.
The drugs used for myeloma also may cause skin
rash, blisters, cramps,
blurred vision, lung problems,
headache, dizziness, drowsiness, numbness or tingling in hands or feet, and
blood clots.
Your doctor can suggest ways to control many of these side effects.
Stem cell transplantation
People who have stem cell transplantation face an increased risk of
infection, bleeding, and other side effects because of the large doses of
chemotherapy or radiation they receive. In addition,
graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) may occur in people who receive stem cells
from a donor. In GVHD, the donated stem cells react against the patient's
tissues. Most often, GVHD affects the liver, skin, or digestive tract. GVHD can
be serious. It can occur any time after the transplant, even years later.
Steroids or other drugs may help treat or control GVHD.
The NCI offers a fact sheet called "Bone Marrow Transplantation and
Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation: Questions and Answers." You can
read it on the Internet at http://www.cancer.gov/publications. Also, Information
Specialists at the NCI's Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER can send
you this fact sheet and answer questions about stem cell transplantation.
Radiation therapy
The side effects of radiation therapy depend mainly on the dose of
radiation and the part of the body that is treated. For example, your skin in
the treated area may become red, dry, and tender. You also may lose your hair in
the treated area.
You are likely to become very tired during radiation therapy, especially in
the later weeks of treatment. Resting is important, but doctors usually advise
patients to try to stay as active as they can.
Although the side effects of radiation therapy can be distressing, your
doctor can usually relieve them.
Next: What supportive care can patients with
multiple myeloma require? »
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