Long-term Side Effects

With the diagnosis of
cancer, you find yourself
entering a new and
confusing world.

After treatment is completed, you should receive a summary of any possible long-term side effects. Long-term side effects are rare. However, on some occasions, chemotherapy can cause permanent changes or damage to the heart, lungs, nerves, kidneys, reproductive or other organs. Certain types of chemotherapy may have delayed effects that show up many years later.

Your healthcare team will let you know what you should watch out for. Your follow-up doctor will also watch for possible long-term effects. With proper monitoring you and your doctor can help reduce or prevent any future complications.

You may have mixed feelings about completing your chemotherapy. Find out more about emotional side effects.

Side Effects

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.

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.