The side effects of chemotherapy depend on the type of drugs, the amount taken, and the length of treatment. Temporary side effects might include nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, hair loss, and mouth sores. Because chemo can damage the blood-producing cells of the bone marrow, patients may have low blood cell counts. This can result in an increased chance of infection (due to a shortage of white blood cells), excessive bleeding or bruising after minor cuts or injuries (due to a shortage of blood platelets), and fatigue (due to low red blood cell counts).
Most side effects disappear once treatment is stopped. There are treatments for many of the short-term chemo side effects. For example, anti-nausea drugs can be given to prevent or reduce nausea and vomiting. Other drugs can be given to boost blood cell counts.
