Chemo For Brain Tumors Side Effects

Learn more about these and other problems in managing cancer related side effects.

Chemo for brain tumors side effects. No matter the cause chemo brain can be a frustrating and debilitating side effect of cancer and its treatment. Though chemo brain is a widely used term the causes of concentration and memory problems aren t well understood. It s likely that there are multiple causes. There are often ways to lessen these side effects.

Chemotherapy chemo uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy drug interactions and side effects. It is difficult to predict how you will feel and what side effects you will have. Most side effects usually go away after treatment is finished.

Changes in libido and sexual function. Chemo brain is a mental cloudiness some people notice before during and after cancer treatment. A study published in breast cancer research found that chemotherapy causes long term immune system damage reducing levels of key immune cells in breast cancer patients for at least nine months after treatment leaving them vulnerable to potentially life threatening viral and bacterial infections. Some people only have mild side effects but others might have severe side effects.

These delayed effects can include serious problems such as memory loss stroke like symptoms and poor brain function. Your nurses doctor and pharmacist will look after you during treatment and afterwards. It s common for you to have a cloudy mind called chemo brain during and after treatment. The wafers dissolve slowly releasing the medicine and killing cancer cells.

Side effects of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy can help you fight cancer but side effects are almost certain. For example drugs can often help prevent or reduce nausea and vomiting. When looking at how best to combine chemo drugs doctors must look at interactions.

Side effects of chemotherapy vary from one person to another. In some cases thin circular wafers containing chemotherapy medicine may be placed in your brain during surgery. Some of the most effective drugs against brain tumors tend to have fewer of these side effects than other common chemo drugs. Chemo brain which can affect concentration and focus.

It s sometimes called cancer treatment related cognitive impairment cancer related cognitive change or post chemotherapy cognitive impairment. Radiation to the brain can also have side effects that show up later usually from 6 months to many years after treatment ends.