Lifespan Cancer Institute

Side Effects of Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is typically most effective when two or more drugs are used together. These can cause a variety of side effects, depending on the drug or drug combinations and the dose.

Our goal is to provide you with the best care while helping you maintain your lifestyle. Sometimes you may be asked to follow certain precautions during your cancer treatments. These precautions will help keep your treatments on schedule and reduce the risk or severity of side effects.

Talk to your doctor or nurse about the side effects associated with your chemotherapy medicines. Make sure to discuss any side effects that you feel are becoming unmanageable. Many can be prevented or relieved. Some possible side effects include:

Nausea and vomiting
Mouth sores
Fatigue
Hair loss
Pain
Diarrhea/constipation
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Low blood cell counts
Premature menopause
Lowered resistance to infections
Increased bleeding