Side effects of the treatment
As a result of cytostatic treatment, some complications and side effects can occur, which may cause pain and discomfort for the child under treatment.
Some side effects can last for a long time. The doctor or nurse who is taking care of the child will provide more information about such effects and how long they can last.
The most common side effects of the treatment are the following:
High-dose cytostatic drugs, as well as cranial radiotherapy, has an impact not only on cancer cells, but also on other cells in the body, such as those responsible for hair growth. The hair will generally begin to fall within two to three weeks after the start of the treatment, although in some cases it may begin after a few days. After finishing the chemotherapy treatment, the hair starts growing again. There are cases in which the hair changes its structure and even its color.
It is necessary to discuss this side effect with the child, since hair loss is the most visible element of change in the child who undergoing cancer treatment. It takes a lot of encouragement and support. As an alternative to hair loss, the option of wearing a wig, bandana, or hat can be discussed!
These side effects occur as a result of destruction of tumors at the beginning of the treatment, following the administration of cytostatic medications or due to damage to the central nervous system (brain tumors, neuroleukemia). Your child may have a low appetite or may even refuse to eat, so you do not have to insist. It is very important to show a lot of patience, so try to distract him, to do creative activities together, to watch cartoons, to walk, if possible. There are currently many medications that control these symptoms.
You may notice a change in your child's food preferences, sometimes they may talk about change in the taste of certain products. The normal sensation of taste usually comes back after the treatment ends. Sometimes the child may feel a strange taste of iron or bitterness in their mouth. During the treatment with hormonal medications (corticosteroids), the child may have an increased appetite, or may want to eat some foods that they did not prefer before. After finishing the corticosteroid treatment, the appetite and taste will gradually return to normal.
The most common effect of the treatment is the inflammation of the lining of the mouth (mucositis, stomatitis) in the inner part of the cheeks, tongue, lips, nose, and in some cases, it may spread to the entire gastrointestinal tract. It is characterized by pain in the oral cavity, difficulty swallowing, dryness and bleeding gums, and even breathing difficulties. These symptoms may vary from mild discomfort in the mouth to the inability to chew and swallow food. Infections of the oral cavity may occur, together with fever, chills, altering the general condition. All these effects can be alleviated by administering appropriate treatment.
This type of side effect can occur as a result of massive drug administration; constipation is also associated with infections during the treatment period. In addition, due to the fact that the child is less active, their sedentary lifestyle during treatment can lead to the slowing of the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal system. Tell the doctor about all the discomforts of the child so that a decision can be made to mitigate these effects.
During chemotherapy, spinal aplasia (a decrease in the number of stem cells in the bone marrow) frequently develops, which leads to a weakened immunity. Long-term treatment that is indicated to prevent the worsening of the general condition can lead to stool disorders and the development of diarrhea, which can be transient, that is, with minor changes, to severe dehydration and development of enteropathy. Tell the doctor about all the discomforts of the child so that a decision can be made to mitigate these effects.
During treatment, the child frequently complains about fatigue, insomnia, and loss of endurance. The causes of fatigue can be: anemia (low hemoglobin parameters), various infections, stress, metabolic disorders, hormonal disorders; also, the administration of painkillers and antihistamines, as well as the poly-chemotherapeutic treatment can cause drowsiness. In order to get over this period more easily, it is necessary to respect the diet of the day, to limit the physical effort and to ensure a balanced diet.
Anemia can develop as a result of an increase in the number of cancer cells or during the treatment period after the administration of chemotherapy. In this case, the number of red blood cells is reduced, which can cause fatigue, dizziness, headaches and difficulty breathing. In this case, the erythrocyte concentrate (blood transfusion) is administered.
This effect may occur at the onset of some cancers (especially in acute leukemias) or during chemotherapy. Bleeding or bruising may occur as a result of reduced platelet production. In this case, platelet concentrate (platelet transfusion) is administered.
The body is invaded by microorganisms – bacteria, fungi or viruses – through infections. During the treatment period, the reduction of the number of leukocytes may occur, which is why the body loses its defense function, thus increases the risk of infections of any type and location. Infections can enter the body through food, inhaled air, through the skin, through the mucous membranes, through the peripheral or central catheter, through contact with other people who are not necessarily sick. Unfortunately, infections often occur as a result of insufficient or inadequate care and violation of the rules of personal hygiene.
It is very important to make every effort in order to protect the child from any possible infections, and everyone takes part in this fight: the doctor, the nurses, the parents and the child-patient.
The most common symptom of an infection is fever. Because of this, if the child has a fever during treatment, it is necessary to warn the doctor or nurse immediately. Tell the doctor about all the discomforts of the child so that a decision can be made to mitigate these effects.
Some side effects can last for a long time. The doctor or nurse who is taking care of the child will provide more information about such effects and how long they can last.
The most common side effects of the treatment are the following:
- Hair loss (alopecia)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Changes in taste and appetite
- Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the oral cavity
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- General weakness (fatigue)
- Anemia
- Bleeding and rashes on the skin
- Infection and fever
- Hair loss (alopecia)
High-dose cytostatic drugs, as well as cranial radiotherapy, has an impact not only on cancer cells, but also on other cells in the body, such as those responsible for hair growth. The hair will generally begin to fall within two to three weeks after the start of the treatment, although in some cases it may begin after a few days. After finishing the chemotherapy treatment, the hair starts growing again. There are cases in which the hair changes its structure and even its color.
It is necessary to discuss this side effect with the child, since hair loss is the most visible element of change in the child who undergoing cancer treatment. It takes a lot of encouragement and support. As an alternative to hair loss, the option of wearing a wig, bandana, or hat can be discussed!
- Nausea and vomiting
These side effects occur as a result of destruction of tumors at the beginning of the treatment, following the administration of cytostatic medications or due to damage to the central nervous system (brain tumors, neuroleukemia). Your child may have a low appetite or may even refuse to eat, so you do not have to insist. It is very important to show a lot of patience, so try to distract him, to do creative activities together, to watch cartoons, to walk, if possible. There are currently many medications that control these symptoms.
- Changes in taste and appetite
You may notice a change in your child's food preferences, sometimes they may talk about change in the taste of certain products. The normal sensation of taste usually comes back after the treatment ends. Sometimes the child may feel a strange taste of iron or bitterness in their mouth. During the treatment with hormonal medications (corticosteroids), the child may have an increased appetite, or may want to eat some foods that they did not prefer before. After finishing the corticosteroid treatment, the appetite and taste will gradually return to normal.
- Inflammation of the oral mucous membrane
The most common effect of the treatment is the inflammation of the lining of the mouth (mucositis, stomatitis) in the inner part of the cheeks, tongue, lips, nose, and in some cases, it may spread to the entire gastrointestinal tract. It is characterized by pain in the oral cavity, difficulty swallowing, dryness and bleeding gums, and even breathing difficulties. These symptoms may vary from mild discomfort in the mouth to the inability to chew and swallow food. Infections of the oral cavity may occur, together with fever, chills, altering the general condition. All these effects can be alleviated by administering appropriate treatment.
- Constipation
This type of side effect can occur as a result of massive drug administration; constipation is also associated with infections during the treatment period. In addition, due to the fact that the child is less active, their sedentary lifestyle during treatment can lead to the slowing of the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal system. Tell the doctor about all the discomforts of the child so that a decision can be made to mitigate these effects.
- Diarrhea
During chemotherapy, spinal aplasia (a decrease in the number of stem cells in the bone marrow) frequently develops, which leads to a weakened immunity. Long-term treatment that is indicated to prevent the worsening of the general condition can lead to stool disorders and the development of diarrhea, which can be transient, that is, with minor changes, to severe dehydration and development of enteropathy. Tell the doctor about all the discomforts of the child so that a decision can be made to mitigate these effects.
- General weakness (fatigue)
During treatment, the child frequently complains about fatigue, insomnia, and loss of endurance. The causes of fatigue can be: anemia (low hemoglobin parameters), various infections, stress, metabolic disorders, hormonal disorders; also, the administration of painkillers and antihistamines, as well as the poly-chemotherapeutic treatment can cause drowsiness. In order to get over this period more easily, it is necessary to respect the diet of the day, to limit the physical effort and to ensure a balanced diet.
- Anemia (low hemoglobin parameters)
Anemia can develop as a result of an increase in the number of cancer cells or during the treatment period after the administration of chemotherapy. In this case, the number of red blood cells is reduced, which can cause fatigue, dizziness, headaches and difficulty breathing. In this case, the erythrocyte concentrate (blood transfusion) is administered.
- Bleeding and rashes on the skin
This effect may occur at the onset of some cancers (especially in acute leukemias) or during chemotherapy. Bleeding or bruising may occur as a result of reduced platelet production. In this case, platelet concentrate (platelet transfusion) is administered.
- Infection and fever
The body is invaded by microorganisms – bacteria, fungi or viruses – through infections. During the treatment period, the reduction of the number of leukocytes may occur, which is why the body loses its defense function, thus increases the risk of infections of any type and location. Infections can enter the body through food, inhaled air, through the skin, through the mucous membranes, through the peripheral or central catheter, through contact with other people who are not necessarily sick. Unfortunately, infections often occur as a result of insufficient or inadequate care and violation of the rules of personal hygiene.
It is very important to make every effort in order to protect the child from any possible infections, and everyone takes part in this fight: the doctor, the nurses, the parents and the child-patient.
The most common symptom of an infection is fever. Because of this, if the child has a fever during treatment, it is necessary to warn the doctor or nurse immediately. Tell the doctor about all the discomforts of the child so that a decision can be made to mitigate these effects.
