Chemotherapy Side Effects
Chemotherapy Side Effects Include Baldness
Chemotherapy is one of the choices of treatment for liver cancer. This involves the usage of chemicals that are supposed to interfere with the growth of the rapidly-multiplying cancer cells, both in the primary tumor itself as well as in areas where they may have spread, either through the blood stream, lymphatics draining the primary site, or by direct spread.
Usage of these chemotherapeutics or cytotoxics is not without risks and side effects. Chemotherapy side effects will happen. The body cells most often affected by the cytotoxics are the fast growing cells such as the cells in the bone marrow responsible for forming blood, hair follicles, cells in the mouth, digestive tract and reproductive organs. The most common chemotherapy side effects are nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, a feeling of lethargy and sickness, and abdominal discomfort. More disturbing side effects may be hair loss or thinning, which is usually temporary, mouth or gum ulcers or sores, anaemia, or sterility. The skin may become dry and discolored. Sometimes the side effects may be so intolerable that the patient may tend to consider alternative treatments.
Side effects do not affect everybody, and the degree of severity of side effects vary depending on the person. Medications can be prescribed to control side effects to allow a more quality life. Most times chemotherapy side effects are temporary. It must be kept in mind that side effects have to be tolerated in order that one can achieve the full benefit of chemotherapy, that is, to treat the cancer in order to prolong life.
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