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.

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.