Childhood Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors
Chapter 12: Common Side Effects of Chemotherapy
In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.
— Albert Camus
CHEMOTHERAPY DRUGS INTERFERE with tumor cells’ ability to grow and reproduce. Because tumor cells divide frequently, they are more susceptible to chemotherapy drugs than most normal cells. Unfortunately, normal, healthy cells that multiply rapidly can also be damaged by chemotherapy. These normal cells include those of the brain, bone marrow, mouth, stomach, intestines, hair follicles, and skin.
This chapter explains the most common side effects of chemotherapy drugs and explores ways to deal with them effectively. It also covers questions about owning pets when your child is receiving chemotherapy. Chemotherapy side effects that prevent good nutrition are discussed in Chapter 20, Nutrition. Side effects are listed in alphabetical order below.
Table of Contents
All Guides- Introduction
- 1. Diagnosis
- 2. The Brain and Spinal Cord
- 3. Types of Tumors
- 4. Telling Your Child and Others
- 5. Choosing a Treatment
- 6. Coping with Procedures
- 7. Forming a Partnership with the Treatment Team
- 8. Hospitalization
- 9. Venous Catheters
- 10. Surgery
- 11. Chemotherapy
- 12. Common Side Effects of Chemotherapy
- 13. Radiation Therapy
- 14. Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation
- 15. Siblings
- 16. Family and Friends
- 17. Communication and Behavior
- 18. School
- 19. Sources of Support
- 20. Nutrition
- 21. Medical and Financial Record-keeping
- 22. End of Treatment and Beyond
- 23. Recurrence
- 24. Death and Bereavement
- 25. Looking Forward
- Appendix A. Blood Tests and What They Mean
- Appendix C. Books and Websites