Side Effect

Side Effect - A secondary reaction to a treatment that differs from the primary, intended effect of the therapy. While cancer treatment works to destroy cancerous cells in the body, it can also damage normal, healthy cells, resulting in treatment-related side effects. For instance, some common side effects of chemotherapy may include hair loss, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. Incorporating complementary medicine therapies (e.g., nutrition therapy, naturopathic medicine, etc.) into a conventional cancer treatment plan may help to reduce some unwanted side effects.

Previous: Sentinel Node Biopsy

Next: Single Agent

Back to the Cancer Glossary