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Medications that are given intravenously can cause irritation and inflammation of the veins.
If it is difficult to open your bowels or your stool is hard, you may be constipated.
What symptoms you may experience during treatment and what you can do to manage them.
Fatigue is the feeling of having no energy and is a common side effect. Resting and sleeping may not help improve fatigue.
You may get a sore mouth, ulcers or general sensitivity. Mucositis is the term given for inflammation and ulceration which can happen in the mouth and continue through the body.
Cancer drugs may affect your ability to think, concentrate or affect your memory.
Some types of cancer treatment can cause side effects that affect your bladder and bowel.
Sometimes your eyes and vision can be affected by cancer drugs. Your hearing may also be affected; you may experience tinnitus.
This can be a serious side effect. Monitor your bowel movements for any changes while having treatment.
As well as red blood cells and white blood cells, the blood also contains platelets. Platelets prevent bleeding.
Peripheral neuropathy means damage to the nerves in the hands and feet. This can be caused by some cancer drugs.
You may experience taste changes and/or a loss of appetite. This may be caused by your treatment, nausea and vomiting or by a sore mouth.
Cancer and cancer treatments increase the risk of having blood clots. Blood clots are commonly found in the calf. These are called a Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). If the blood clot travels to the lungs, this is called a Pulmonary Embolism (PE).
If you are likely to experience nausea and/or vomiting, you will be given anti-sickness medication before each treatment and a supply to take home.
Your treatment may cause rashes, skin irritation, skin discolouration, dry itchy skin or skin sensitivity to light.
Possible side effects from local steroid injections
Possible side effects of minoxidil
Hair loss and/or hair thinning can be a side effect of chemotherapy, it will depend on the drug you are given.
Side effects of finasteride
White blood cells (WBC) are part of the immune system. Neutrophils are a type of WBC and their job is to fight infections. Chemotherapy accidently kills neutrophils.