Side effects of treatment for lymphoma

• April 27, 2024

The most commonly used treatments for lymphoma are chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The first is usually drugs that are injected directly into the veins of patients, but can also be taken in the form of pills.

Radiation therapy uses high-energy light rays strategically aimed at cancer cells. This form of therapy can be applied over small areas of the body (compromised field radiation) or over large areas (extended field radiation).

Both treatments are quite toxic and are designed to kill cancer cells; however, it is possible that during the process some normal cells are also damaged. There are therefore inevitable side effects.

However, you must be sure that most of the side effects are temporary. They are unlikely to remain after the end of treatment.

These are some of the most common side effects:

Feeling unwell

There are drugs in chemotherapy that can cause nausea and even several episodes of vomiting, especially when chemotherapy combined with radiation therapy is applied in the abdomen.

Nausea can be avoided by administering antiemetic medications before each cycle of chemotherapy combined with radiation therapy. Currently there are medications that help control nausea and vomiting.

Hair loss

Chemotherapy usually causes excessive hair loss. The degree of alopecia depends on the drug used in the session. There are other effective medications that could lead to this problem. However, there is no need to worry because the hair almost always starts to grow again, a few months after the treatment is finished. In some cases, it may take more than a year before hair growth starts again.

Other disorders

The fall of hemoglobin and infection

During the course of radiation therapy or chemotherapy, the blood count may fall below optimal or normal levels. Needless to say, your white blood cells are the most affected. You know that when the white blood cells decrease, the body can develop several forms of infections, often accompanied by fever, if it appears, contact your doctor immediately.

You may need special treatment to increase your white blood cell count and fight the infection; As for the red blood cells, any decrease can be easily remedied by blood transfusions.

Loss of appetite

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can alter your sense of taste, especially during the duration of treatment. However, as in hair loss, the sense of taste can return to normal once the treatment is finished. Meanwhile, you should try to eat even small amounts and drink plenty of water and liquids. Remember the importance of maintaining your integral nutrition during treatment.

Ulcers in the mouth and skin

Treatments for lymphoma may cause ulcers in the mouth several weeks after the start of the program. Therefore, you may feel pain when eating and even when drinking water.

In most cases, doctors recommend taking pureed foods, which are easier to swallow. Radiation therapy can cause ulcers on the skin. However, such a problem is not of concern since the sores disappear immediately after the radiation treatment.

Video Medicine: Study Identifies Promising Treatment for Aggressive Lymphoma-Mayo Clinic (April 2024).