SIDE EFFECTS
Managing Cancer-related Side Effects
Get information about physical side effects that may be caused by cancer treatments and practical ways to manage them.
Side Effects A–Z
Browse side effects alphabetically to learn about causes, management and when to seek help.
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AnxietyTable of Contents About Anxiety Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, uneasiness, or scared about the current situation or about something…Appearance related side effectsTable of Contents Overview Appearance related side effects: Cancer and cancer treatment affects a patient’s appearance by changing skin, hair, and body…
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Balance problems and fallingThe balance of the body is the ability of the body to balance itself while standing, sitting, or moving. The problem of…Blood clotsUnderstanding blood clot A blood clot is a thickening of the blood and the formation of a mass. Blood clotting is important…Bowel and bladder problemsCancer and its treatment both are known to cause bladder problems. The problem is common in patients undergoing pelvic radiotherapy or bowel…
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Chemo brainChemo brain is a term used to describe the cognitive decline in the patients undergoing cancer treatment. The patient is not able…Cognitive problems or changes in thinkingCancer and cancer treatment adversely affects cognitive behavior. The cognitive changes include thoughts, memory, behavior, and concentration. Change in all these aspects…Confusion and deliriumDelirium or confusion in cancer patients is a sign of the brain being affected. Delirium affects a person’s way of thinking. The…ConstipationWhat is constipation Constipation is a condition when the bowel movement is infrequent, stool becomes dry, hard to pass and is difficult…
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Dehydration and lack of fluidsOur body needs a certain amount of fluid for better function. With enough water, the cells remain healthy and carry out their…DepressionFeeling depressed is natural and common in people diagnosed with cancer. Depression affects the entire family members of cancer patients. Feeling low…DiarrheaDiarrhea is the condition when the consistency and frequency of stool becomes unformed and frequent respectively. The problem becomes serious if diarrhea…DistressDistress is one of the side effects of cancer treatment that affects the patient to an extent of quitting the treatment. Distress…Drinking and eating changesDrinking and eating changes are observed in people fighting cancer disease. Loss of appetite, difficulty in eating and drinking is commonly observed…
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Fatigue and weaknessBy the end of a day, it is common to feel tired. Feeling weak due to tiredness is common and it goes…Fertility and sexual concernsMany are diagnosed with cancer each year. Not all are comfortable in talking about fertility and sexual concerns related to cancer. Cancer…FeverA normal person with fever will not visit the doctor soon. However cancer patients having fever must visit the doctor without any…
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Hair lossHair loss as a side effect of cancer is very common and known to most of us. It is a result of…Hiccups and HeartburnHiccups and heartburn are a common problem that we experience in normal life. It occurs and goes away without any need of…Hot flashes and sweatingHot flashes and sweating are common side effects in cancer patients. Hot flashes is experienced as a sudden warmth on face, neck…
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IncontinenceIncontinence indicates involuntary control over passing of urine, faeces and flatus. These are termed as urine incontinence and faecal/bowel incontinence respectively. The…InfectionsOverview Infection is a term used when micro-organism enters the body and gives rise to disease. In cancer patients the immunity is…Infusion and Immune ReactionsOverview Cancer treatment administered intravenously can cause infusion and immune reaction. The treatment used can be in the form of chemotherapy, immunotherapy,…
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Leg CrampsOverview Leg cramps are painful that occur due to involuntary spasm and contraction in the muscles. It retards the function of the…Loss of AppetiteOverview Loss of appetite or anorexia is a lack of desire to eat food. It is commonly observed in cancer patients. Loss…Low Blood CountsOverview In cancer patients, the blood counts are closely monitored because low blood counts can cause serious health issues. Causes of low…LymphedemaOverview The abnormal collection of fluids in soft tissues due to blockage in the lymphatic system is called lymphedema. Lymph is a…
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Managing Side EffectsManaging Cancer related Side Effects Get information about the physical side effects that can be caused by different cancer treatments and what you…Mouth Sores, Pain, and DrynessOverview Mouth sores or mucositis is the inflammation of the mucous lining extending from the mouth up-to-the stomach. Some of the medicines…
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Nail ChangesOverview Cancer treatment damages and changes the nails. Different cancer treatment affects the nails in different ways. Changes may occur soon after…Nausea and VomitingOverview Nausea is an unpleasant feeling when a person feels a need to vomit. Vomiting is a forceful expulsion of the content…
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PainOverview Cancer and cancer treatment both may or may not cause pain. Bearing pain can be an unavoidable part of cancer treatment…Peripheral NeuropathyOverview Certain drugs used in chemotherapy and other cancer treatment has a damaging effect on the nerves supplying both the extremities. The…ProsthesesOverview A prosthesis is an artificial body part or device that can be used in place of removed body parts. In some…
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SeizuresOverview Seizure is an uncontrolled movement of the muscles caused due to overactivity of electrical impulses in the brain. When there are…Shortness of BreathOverview There are various reasons for cancer patients to experience shortness of breath. It occurs as a side effect of cancer, especially…Skin ProblemsOverview Skin is the largest sense organ. The main function of the skin is not only to provide a feeling of touch…Sleep ProblemsOverview Sleep-related dysfunctions are a common side effect of cancer. A high level of stress, non-nutritious diet, pollution, alcohol and substance abuse,…Swallowing problemsOverview The swallowing problem makes it difficult for a person to pass foods and liquid down the throat and food pipe. The…Swelling, Ascites and EdemaOverview The term swelling and edema can be used interchangeably, whereas ascites are specifically used for abdominal swelling. Swelling or edema and…
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