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Side effects make some doctors reluctant
to use chemotherapy for prostate
cancer. The damage of the drugs is systemic, so
all quickly-dividing cells are affected. Some side effects
are treated with other drugs; others continue until
chemotherapy is stopped. Patients who experience severe
side effects should notify their doctor. Patients should
be alert for other possible side effects, because not
all side effects may be listed here.
Digestive
Tract Side Effects
Gastrointestinal tract damage may include diarrhea,
nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and constipation.
Drinking plenty of water and consuming a high-fiber,
low-fat diet can help. Patients should avoid foods that
upset the stomach, such as acidic beverages including
coffee, tea, citrus juice, and tomato juice. Alcohol
can also worsen these side effects.
Some OTC medicines may help treat
diarrhea and constipation. If OTC drugs are ineffective,
patients can speak with their doctors about prescription
drugs. Patients who stop eating or experience vomiting
or diarrhea can become dehydrated or malnourished. They
should consult their doctor if these side effects become
severe.
Throat and mouth sores can be caused
by both digestive tract damage and a low white blood
cell count. Avoid mouthwash with alcohol as well as
hard, crunchy, acidic, or excessively salty or spicy
foods. Switching to a soft toothbrush and avoiding tobacco
products may help alleviate these sores.
Hair, Nail, and Skin Side
Effects
Not all patients experience hair loss, the most apparent
chemotherapy side effect. Some patients experience partial
hair loss or brittle hair shafts, while others lose
all of their hair. Losing hair can be distressing, but
hair will re-grow when chemotherapy is stopped. Some
people shave their heads for comfort or to more easily
wear a hair prosthesis. Patients who do not wear prostheses
should keep their heads covered to avoid sunburn.
Finger nails and toenails will not
fall off, but white bands of discoloration may appear.
Clipping the nails short will improve appearance and
help avoid accidental scratching.
Patients may notice that skin is
more susceptible to sunburn or prone to rashes, boils,
and ulcers. If symptoms become severe, they should alert
their doctor. Using tepid water for baths and showers
and gentles soaps and lotions can usually alleviate
discomfort. Drinking plenty of water helps keep skin
feeling hydrated.
Chemotherapy’s Effect
on Blood and Bone Marrow
In the center of the bones is a soft material called
bone marrow responsible for producing blood cells. These
cells divide quickly and are vulnerable to chemotherapy.
White blood cells are responsible for fighting off any
infectious agents that enter the body. Chemotherapy
depletes white blood cells and the body becomes vulnerable
to infection. Patients may experience chills, fever,
shortness of breath, and nasal congestion.
Red blood cells are responsible
for transporting oxygen. A drastic drop in red blood
cells is called anemia. Anemic patients will feel tired
or irritable and may experience headaches, dizziness,
nausea, or chest pain. The drug epoetin
stimulates the production of red blood cells. Platelets
are responsible for clotting. Patients will bruise easily
and bleed excessively in the face of even minor injury
and, less commonly, experience internal bleeding. Anti-inflammatory
drugs decrease platelet production and exacerbate low
platelet count. A drug called opralvekin stimulates
platelet production. Patients who take epoetin or oprelvekin
can avoid transfusions and hospital stays due to blood-related
side effects.
Chemotherapy Effects in
the Nervous System
Patients who use chemotherapy for prostate
cancer treatment may notice side effects due to
therapy interaction with the nervous system.
- Headache
- Confusion
- Depression
- Neuropathy (tingling and loss
of sensation in hands and feet
- Disturbances in vision
- Ringing in the ears
Patients who experience these symptoms
should report immediately to their doctors. Doctors
can prescribe drugs to counteract these side effects.
Amifostine may be able to counteract any of the above
side effects. Tricyclic anti-depressants can be used
to treat chemotherapy-induced depression. Doctors commonly
prescribe amitriptyline,
desipramine,
or nortriptyline.
Pain from damage to the nervous system is also a side
effect of prostate cancer chemotherapy. Some doctors
will prescribe anticonvulsants
like carbamazepine
or gabapentin.
Acupressure and acupuncture, however, are more commonly
being used to treat pain caused by chemotherapy.
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