What to Expect After Chemotherapy for Pancreatic Cancer
The side effects of chemotherapy are different for everyone. They depend on these things.
Your medical oncologist and chemotherapy nurse will talk with you about possible side effects of your treatment. Here are some typical side effects for the most commonly used chemotherapy drugs for pancreatic cancer. Ask your healthcare team about which ones are most likely to happen to you based on the drugs you are taking.
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Bruising
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Fatigue
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Fluid retention
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Hair loss
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Heart side effects (rarely)
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Lowering of your white blood cells, red blood cells, or platelets
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Mouth sores
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Nail thickening or discoloration
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Nausea and stomach upset
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Skin dryness and irritation
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Tingling or numbness in hands and feet
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Weight gain
These side effects will go away during rest periods between treatments and after your treatment ends. Ask your doctor or nurse for ways to ease these side effects. For instance, there are drugs that ease nausea and vomiting.
Online Medical Reviewer:
Akin, Louise RN BSN
Online Medical Reviewer:
Alteri, Rick MD
Online Medical Reviewer:
Coleman, JoAnn RN, MS, ACNP, AOCN®
Online Medical Reviewer:
Lee, James J. MD, PhD
Online Medical Reviewer:
Stump-Sutliff, Kim RN, MSN, AOCNS
Last Annual Review Date:
9/13/2009