Radiation therapy to the head and neck may cause hair loss in that area. But radiation anywhere else will not cause the hair on the head to fall out. Though some kids take hair loss in stride, others find it upsetting. Tell your child that the hair will grow back — though it might be a slightly different color or texture.
In the meantime, many kids choose to wear baseball hats, bandanas, scarves, or wigs. Before treatment, some kids get shorter haircuts, as it can be easier to watch shorter strands of hair fall rather than long ones. Some chemo drugs affect the kidneys. Frequent blood tests will check kidney function. Staying well hydrated can help. Tell the doctor if your child has blood in the pee or any problems urinating. Chemotherapy drugs and radiation can destroy all types of healthy blood cells and harm the body's production of new ones.
Low levels of red blood cells the cells that carry oxygen can lead to anemia , which causes fatigue, paleness, shortness of breath, and a fast heartbeat.
Frequent blood draws throughout treatment will monitor the levels of these cells. If they get too low, your child may get donor cells through a blood transfusion. Cells that help blood to clot, called platelets, are another type of blood cell that can be affected during cancer treatment, especially chemo. Low platelets, or thrombocytopenia , can lead to bleeding. This may cause small red spots on the skin, bloody or black bowel movements or vomit, or bleeding from the nose, gums, or line site the area where fluids and medicines are given to people with cancer.
Kids with a low platelet count have to take it easy to reduce the risk of bleeding. That means avoiding rough play and contact sports like football , and brushing with a soft toothbrush and flossing very gently. In very serious cases of thrombocytopenia, a child might need a blood transfusion.
White blood cells WBCs also can be depleted during or after cancer treatment. WBCs called neutrophils help fight infection. Having too few can put a child at increased risk of serious infection, a condition called neutropenia. A fever can be a sign of serious infection, so tell your doctor right away if your child gets one. Kids with neutropenia need to take special precautions against germs. Like all kids, they should wash their hands well and often, especially before eating, after using the bathroom, and after touching animals.
They also need to avoid crowded indoor places or visiting with friends or family members who have contagious illnesses such as a cold, the flu, or chickenpox. People who have recently received live-virus vaccines, such as measles or oral polio, can pass these viruses to kids with low blood cell counts, so it's also important to avoid contact with them. To prevent food-borne infection, kids with neutropenia shouldn't eat raw seafood, undercooked meat, or eggs.
Because their immune systems are compromised, kids with cancer especially those with neutropenia can't fight off bacteria and other germs that enter the body. So a seasonal virus or a cold can quickly turn into a life-threatening infection.
Signs of infection include fever or chills, coughing or congestion, vomiting or diarrhea, and pain perhaps in the ears, throat, belly, or head, or pain when going to the bathroom. Or there might be redness, swelling, pain, or oozing around the line site. Most side effects start to go away after cancer treatment ends and the healthy cells have a chance to grow again.
Sometimes, though, cancer treatment can cause lasting changes to a growing body. These long-term side effects called late effects can include damage to the heart, lungs, brain, nerves, kidneys, thyroid gland, or reproductive organs. In some cases, kids and teens who've had some types of chemotherapy have a higher risk of developing a second type of cancer later in life. Before treatment, the doctor will talk to you about your child's risk of late effects and what precautions can be taken before treatment, if any.
For example, some teens who undergo treatments with fertility risks can take preventive measures like egg or sperm preservation. If bleeding occurs, it may mean a person has or is at risk of infection.
Symptoms typically disappear a few weeks after finishing treatment. Chemotherapy, cancer or both can affect how the body processes nutrients, which can lead to a loss of appetite and weight loss.
The severity depends on the type of cancer and chemotherapy treatment, but the person usually regains their appetite after treatment. People who find it too difficult to eat may need to spend time in the hospital, where healthcare professionals can provide nutrition intravenously or through a feeding tube. Fertility : Some types of chemotherapy can reduce fertility in men and women.
This often, but not always, returns after treatment is over. However, people who wish to have children in the future may consider freezing sperm or embryos for later use.
Pregnancy : It is not entirely clear how different types of chemotherapy may affect a growing fetus. Chemotherapy can begin after the first trimester if a doctor considers it necessary.
A woman who is pregnant will receive the last course of chemo about 8 weeks before the delivery date to reduce any risk of infection in both mother and baby around the time of birth.
Because chemotherapy can have severe adverse side effects, it may be best to avoid becoming pregnant while having treatment. A doctor can advise on suitable birth control methods. Anyone who is pregnant or who becomes pregnant during chemotherapy treatment should tell their doctor at once. Chemotherapy can also lead to diarrhea or constipation as the body expels damaged cells. Chemotherapy can also lead to difficulty with reasoning, organizing, and multitasking.
Some people experience mood swings and depression. Types of chemotherapy include :. Alkylating agents : These affect the DNA and kill the cells at different stages of the cell life cycle. Antimetabolites : These mimic proteins that the cells need to survive. When the cells consume them, they offer no benefit, and the cells starve.
Antitumor antibiotics : These stop the cells from reproducing. They are different from the antibiotics people use for an infection. The doctor will recommend a suitable option for the individual.
They may recommend combining chemotherapy with other options, such as radiation therapy or surgery. How does a person know if chemo is not working? Find out here. The outlook for a person receiving chemotherapy will depend largely on the type, stage, and location of the cancer and their overall health. In some cases, it can achieve complete remission.
There can be adverse effects, however, and a person may need to adjust their lifestyle or work routine during treatment.
However, these usually resolve after treatment finishes. We look at hyperchloremia, where a high level of chloride in the blood causes an electrolyte imbalance. Included is detail on the relation to…. Immunotherapy is an emerging treatment option for cancer. It changes the way the immune system interacts with cancer cells and may help treat lung…. What you need to know about chemotherapy. Medically reviewed by Alan Carter, Pharm.
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