Cancer is a disease that has many treatment options.But however, patients often have doubts about the side effects they carry. Find out more about it in this space.
Many patients diagnosed with cancer often have doubts about the side effects of treatments for this disease. And, when looking for professional help to treat this condition, some often document themselves with information found on the internet.
After exploring the available information, questions arise, such as, what are the side effects of cancer treatment?. And, to answer this question, it is essential to point out that cancer is a term used to refer to a group of diseases.
Although all can meet common characteristics, most have their mechanisms of origin and proliferation in our bodies. But these differences cause the need to create treatments that better adapted to each type of cancer.
There are varieties of cancer treatments, but in this article, we will mention the following:
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Radiotherapy
Table of Contents
Side Effects Of Cancer Surgery Or Cancer Treatment
Cancer surgery can cause postoperative pain and risk of infection.
Although most of the side effects that result from surgery are associated with the organ in which it performed, and the modality by which it performed, we can point out some side effects related to all types of surgery.
Pain
It is common to feel pain in the part of the body where the surgery performed. The amount of the aching will depend on the level of the surgery, the part of the body where it performed, and the person’s sensitivity to painful stimuli—pain controlled with pain relievers prescribed by the doctor.
Wound Infection
The surgery involves cuts on our skin. These wounds can serve as a gateway to microorganisms harmful to our health. Diseases usually happen within the first few days after surgery.
During the infection, we can find inflammation, pain, and redness in the area where the wound located. It accompanied by suppuration and fever. It is essential to consult the doctor in case of presenting any of the indicated symptoms.
Chemotherapy Side Effects Of Cancer Treatment
Chemotherapy is associated with an extensive list of side effects. Below we discuss the most common.
Anemia
The vast majority of chemotherapeutic agents negatively affect the bone marrow. This causes changes in the cell production of the patient.
Nausea And Vomiting
It is the most common side effect of chemotherapy, affecting 80% of people who undergo this treatment.
Changes In Bowel Rhythm
Chemotherapy causes changes at the level of our body. Changes can manifest at the intestinal level. Depending on the drug used, it can cause diarrhea or constipation.
Hair Loss
Contrary to popular belief, hair loss during chemotherapy will depend on the drug used. This side effect is very different from person to person.
Radiation Therapy Side Effects
The other side effects of radiation therapy depend on many factors. In almost all cases, there is fatigue, in addition to skin irritation in the irradiated areas.
Radiotherapy has side effects concerning the volume of radiation received. Therefore, adverse reactions confined to irradiation fields. It will relate to the dose received and its fractionation, the concomitant treatments, and the susceptibility of the recipient.
As already mentioned, side effects will depend on where the radiation is received. Fatigue is present in all cases, irritation of the skin that covers the irradiated part of the body. Besides, If you get radiation to the abdomen, you may experience changes in intestinal transit, as well as nausea and vomiting.
What Should We Remember About The Side Effects Of Cancer Treatment?
Side effects vary depending on the treatment and the peculiarity of the person receiving it. Also there are many treatments for cancer, but the most common are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
Depending on the place, intensity, and type of cancer we have, the side effects will be different.
In addition, we should consult the doctor in case we have doubts or are concerned about any symptoms that we are presenting.
