Typical side effects of chemotherapy for colorectal cancer | Chemotherapy for colon cancer

Typical side effects of chemotherapy for colorectal cancer

The drugs used in chemotherapy attack cells that divide quickly and have similar properties to cancer cells. In many cases, the body’s own healthy cells are also damaged, which can lead to various side effects. The most important side effects of chemotherapy are: By preventing rapid cell division, mucous membranes in particular are affected and the following side effects can occur:

  • Tiredness
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Fever
  • Blood count changes
  • Reduced general condition.
  • Redness
  • Pain
  • Swelling
  • Inflammation of mucous membranes
  • Minor bleeding

In the intestine, the chemotherapeutic agents can cause damage to the inner intestinal mucosa. The drugs inhibit the division of the mucous membrane cells, which can lead to inflammation and various symptoms. Diarrhoea often occurs, and constipation may also be the result in rare cases.

During this time, particular attention should be paid to nutrition, as this can have a strong influence on digestion. Meals should not be too rich and not too fatty. Low-fibre, light and low-fat food should be given priority.

Frequent small meals can also have a positive effect on digestion. Nausea is one of the most common symptoms of chemotherapy for colon cancer. It can occur for various reasons.

Here, too, damage to the mucous membrane of the stomach and upper intestinal region can be responsible. The irritation of the mucous membrane and slight inflammation inside the digestive tract causes certain hormones to be released, which not only reduce the appetite but can also cause nausea and even vomiting. The symptoms are triggered directly at the so-called vomiting centre in the brain.

Various medications can already be taken prophylactically to prevent the nausea in its development in the brain. Nowadays nausea is still an important and common symptom, but there are many good drug therapy options. In the course of chemotherapy, so-called “anticipatory nausea” can also develop.

It is the result of conditioning (learning a certain response to a stimulus) by previous symptoms, so that patients develop nausea just by looking at the chemotherapeutic agent. Some of the chemotherapeutic agents can cause hair loss. This is also due to the property of the drugs that they attack cells that divide quickly and frequently.

This also applies to the hair root cells, so that they die a few weeks after the start of chemotherapy and lead to progressive hair loss. Not all chemotherapeutic drugs have an effect on the hair root cells, and this should be discussed with the doctor beforehand. As a rule, the hair grows back after the end of chemotherapy.

What can you do to avoid the side effects?

The side effects of chemotherapy are closely related to the effect. A particularly effective and strong effect on the cancer cells is also often accompanied by many side effects, since many foreign and endogenous cells are attacked equally. In order to reduce the side effects, the dose of chemotherapy can therefore also be reduced.

In addition, the body should be given enough rest during the strenuous therapy phase to avoid side effects. With drug prophylaxis, mucous membrane inflammations, nausea and vomiting can also be well treated. A low-fat, light diet in frequent and small portions can also make symptoms such as diarrhoea and nausea more tolerable. In general, if the side effects are too severe, it is essential to consult your doctor in order to change the therapy if necessary.