Side-Effects : Part1
With the treatments available for leukemia patients, awareness of the side effects helps in the preparation for the patientÂ’s diet, supplementation (if allowed) and therapy. Management of the side effects will also be discussed by health care providers. Let us look at the probable side-effects of various treatments:
Chemotherapy.
Cancer cells divide rapidly, and anti-cancer drugs target these cells. However, the following normal cells divide rapidly and are affected by the treatment:
Blood cells fight infection, allows blood to clot, and carry oxygen around the body. With treatment, patients become prone to infections, get bruises or bleed easily and they feel weak.
Hair root cells also grow rapidly, ad is affected by treatment which explains hair loss among chemotherapy patients.
Digestive tract lining cells are also affected. Mouth and lips get sore, patient experiences vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and poor appetite.
Fertility may also be affected on both men and women.