Cancer Therapy and Side Effects

Cancer cells don't follow the normal rules that other cells in your body follow. They divide rapidly, and out of control.  They have many characteristics that make them different than normal cells. They have abnormal cell structures and can go to other parts of the body; whereas, normal cells stay where they are supposed to be.  For example, usually, a colon cell stays in the colon; it doesn't travel to the lung, or to the bones. 

Cancer therapies, including chemotherapy, are designed to target these abnormal cells that your body has not destroyed and eliminated.  Chemotherapy (or anticancer drugs) is designed for this purpose, to destroy rapidly and uncontrolled cells.

In your body, you also have cells that are normal, but that also divide rapidly.  These include bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract (mouth/sinuses to anus), skin/hair/nails, and the organs of the reproductive system.

Side effect occur because the chemotherapy cannot tell the difference between the normal rapidly dividing cells as described above, and a cancerous rapidly dividing cell.  Chemotherapy can also damage cells of the heart, kidney, bladder, lungs, and nervous system.

Your oncology healthcare providers will discuss with you the specific side effects for the chemotherapy or radiation that you will receive in your treatment plan.  Be sure to let your oncology healthcare provider know if you notice any symptoms that have not been discussed.

HOW LONG DO SIDE EFFECTS LAST?

Most normal cells have a lifespan of a few hours to many days.  New cells are created all the time, to create the cells that have died, from the effects of a normal lifespan, to the effects of medications, treatments and traumas.  Normally, your cells will recover without problems, given enough time between treatment cycles.  Your body has the inherent wisdom to do this.  Occasionally, you may need additional medication to boost the cell growth of your red cells (i.e. Epogen/Procrit, or Aranesp), or white cells (i.e. Neupogen or Neulasta) to assist your recovery between treatment cycles, and possibly after treatment.  Your doctor will tell you if you will require any of these supportive therapies.

Most people tolerate cancer treatments fairly well, with the minimum of side effects or difficulty.  It is important to communicate with your healthcare team if you are having symptoms that are not being relieved, or if they need to be addressed.  Your healthcare team will work with you to make this experience as tolerable as possible.