Oral Cancer Chemotherapy Side Effects
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Side Effects of Chemotherapy for Oral Cancer
At Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), we plan for and manage the side effects of oral cancer treatment. Chemotherapy can cause side effects for some patients. Your doctor will explain these potential side effects before you begin treatment, and provide ways to help minimize or heal any potential problems.
Chemotherapy works by attacking cells that divide quickly. This means that cancer cells are killed, but the drugs can also harm normal, healthy cells such as those in the bone marrow, the intestines, the lining of the mouth, and the hair follicles.
Chemotherapy side effects may include:
- Hair loss
- Mouth sores
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Increased chance of infections
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Fatigue
Not everyone experiences all chemotherapy side effects, and the severity of side effects varies widely from one person to another. As cancer treatments have advanced, so has the treatment of side effects like these.
If chemotherapy is the appropriate treatment for you, your doctor will work closely with you to explain all of the available options, including ways to minimize and treat these possible side effects. Your oncologist will work closely with your nutrition and naturopathic medicine teams to create a personalized plan to manage side effects.
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