Chemotherapy

Cancer cells can grow and divide quickly. Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to stop or slow down this growth of the cancer cells.

Short Term Chemotherapy Side Effects

Chemotherapy has many side effects that will occur during or shortly after treatment. These side effects can include hair loss, mouth and throat irritation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, reactions in the skin, increased risk of infections, and reproductive changes.

Long Term Chemotherapy Side Effects

Long term side effects of chemotherapy cancer treatment can happen months or years after the treatment. These possible side effects are osteoporosis, lymphedema, heart disease, decreased lung capacity, chronic pain, and infertility.

Radiation

According to the National Cancer Institute, about half of all people with cancer are treated with radiation therapy, either alone or in combination with other types of cancer treatment . Radiation can be done internally or externally. Ionizing radiation is used to help shrink tumors and kill cancer cells.

Short Term Radiation Side Effects

Radiation can cause hair loss, fatigue, neutropenia, dry or irritated skin, nausea, diarrhea, and mouth and gastrointestinal tract irritations.

Long Term Radiation Side Effects

Radiation side effects usually occur in the area of the body that was treated. Long term radiation side effects can include heart problems, cataracts, heart problems, dental problems, hyputhyroidism, infertility, confusion, and tissue damage.

Source:

Cancer.gov: Chemotherapy for Cancer

Cancer.gov: Radition Therapy for Cancer

More Information:

Information on Chemotherapy

Information on Radiation Therapy