
Common side effects of lung cancer treatments
There are quite a few side effects to any form of treatment. As much as one would know about the options of treatment one would have, one will also need to understand the side effects that may be associated with each treatment form to be better prepared to handle the whole process. While some of the most common side effects are short term, there are some that can indeed last for over a period of time.
Here are a few possible side effects that one will need to be aware of if one is undergoing radiation, chemotherapy, or any form of targeted lung cancer treatment:
1. Blood clots
There are chances that one could develop blood clots based on the impact of the treatment on the body.
2. Bone issues
Once the cancer starts to metastasize to the bones, there is a high risk of complications when one undergoes treatments for lung cancer. This would essentially include chances of one’s bone becoming brittle, a drop in the blood’s calcium levels, or fractures.
3. Chemobrain
This indeed is a term that defines how one’s memory and concentration may be affected when one is being administered high-end chemotherapy medications. This creates a feeling of being exhausted mentally.
4. Diarrhea
If one is undergoing chemo or radiation therapy, the risk of suffering from diarrhea may increase.
5. Fatigue
This is one of the most common symptoms reported alongside lung cancer treatments. One needs to make sure to not ignore this symptom but report it to their doctor to ensure that essential steps are taken to manage it before it causes any other complications in the body.
6. Hair loss
This is another common symptom that is particularly associated with chemotherapy as the hair follicles get damaged with the medications used.
7. Mouth sores
The soft tissues that line the wall of the mouth and tongue end up having sores due to the mucosa being irritated by the use of chemotherapy medications. This is a serious symptom that needs to be reported to one’s doctor.
8. Nausea and vomiting
This is another common side effect that one might experience during the course of lung cancer treatments. While they are hardly severe in nature, they can be taxing on one’s body. It is best to get some medication to help deal with these side effects.
9. Pain
Another common side effect that can cause way too much discomfort through lung cancer treatments is experiencing pain. It is important that one does not brush this off lightly and will need to get effective ways of pain management quickly. This will otherwise hinder the treatment process and cause one to lose their peace of mind.
10. Rashes
Since there are some forms of medication in these treatment options that usually block off the epidermal growth factor receptors, the body may react through rashes and other types of skin-related conditions.
These are some of the common side effects of lung cancer treatment. Each individual would be fighting their own side effects, and it is crucial that one reports any side effects to their physician to get the right help.