Why and When Might I Expect Side Effects?

Chemotherapy kills or damages all cells that divide rapidly - not just cancer cells. Healthy cells can also be damaged. Normal cells that divide rapidly include blood cells (especially in the bone marrow), as well as cells in the hair and the lining of your mouth, stomach and bowels. Some cancer therapies, including chemotherapy, may also affect the natural processes required to maintain strong bones.

Common side effects of chemotherapy:

• low white blood cell count (neutropenia)
• low red blood cell count (anemia)
• low platelet count (thrombocytopenia)
• hair loss (alopecia)
• nausea/vomiting (emesis)
• mouth sores (mucositis)
• bone loss (osteopenia/osteoporosis)

Note: This is not a list of all possible side effects of chemotherapy. You should discuss with your doctor, pharmacist or nurse the potential side effects common to your chemotherapy regimen.

Learning the details about your treatment will help you to be prepared and know what to expect. Find out more.

When might I experience side effects?

Different side effects happen at different times during chemotherapy treatment. Some side effects happen right away. Some may happen a few days or weeks after receiving chemotherapy.

The diagram below outlines when some of the more common chemotherapy side effects usually happen.

Source: Buckman R. What you really need to know about Cancer. 2nd ed., Toronto 2006.

Normal cells usually recover when chemotherapy is over. Most side effects gradually go away after treatment ends and the healthy cells have a chance to grow normally. The time it takes to recover from side effects depends on many things, including your overall health and the kind of chemotherapy you have been receiving.

After you've completed your chemotherapy treatment, you will need follow-up care. Find out more about what happens after chemotherapy.